Physical consequences of ARFID vary due to an individual's age. Common symptoms are:

-  Gastroenterological distress
- Inadequate or slowed growth
- Low weight
- Decreased appetite
- Abdominal pain when eating
- Nutrient deficiencies

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Consequences

Although the data surrounding specific risk factors for ARFID is unclear, some patterns are seen among those who develop the disorder. ARFID is most commonly seen among children, and tends to be more prevalent in males than in females. 

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Demographic Risk Factors

The prevalence of ARFID is largely understudied, and estimates vary wildly. In clinical cohorts on patients with eating disorders, there is an estimated prevalence of 1.5% to 64%. In the general population, the range is estimated to be from <1% to 1.5%, with an estimated 0.3% prevalence among adults. 

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Prevalence

The DSM-5 has recognized three types of ARFID based on the driving forces behind the avoidant/restrictive eating. However, it is important to note that these driving forces may coincide with one another and that there are likely additional factors that may contribute to the development and progression of ARFID: 

1. Lack of interest
2. Sensory avoidance
3. Fear of aversive consequences

Types and Driving Forces of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Screening and diagnostic tests for ARFID are relatively new, but data supports the validity of the following tests: 

- Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Interview (PARDI)
- Eating Disorder Examination - ARFID Module (EDE-ARFID)
- Eating Disturbances in Youth Questionnaire (EDY-Q)
- Nine Item ARFID Screen (NIAS)

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Diagnostic/Screening Test

Several mental and physical health conditions are commonly comorbid with ARFID, and may potentially contribute to its symptoms: 

- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Autism spectrum disorder 
- Internet gaming disorder
- Anxiety disorders 
- Abdominal pain or other somatic issues
- Drug use

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Comorbid Conditions

Although ARFID shares many similarities with other eating disorders, it also differs in various ways. Unlike most other eating disorders, ARFID is not related to body image or weight concerns. Furthermore, ARFID tends to be more persistent than other eating disorders which commonly develop in adolescence or early adulthood, while ARFID frequently presents in children or even infants. ARFID patients generally tend to report a poorer mental health related quality of life in comparison to patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but are also at a lower risk of comorbid mood disorders.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) vs. Other Eating Disorders

A disorder commonly found in children, ARFID can be described as extremely picky eating, though fear foods differ significantly from those with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Although ARFID involves food restriction and thus shares some features with anorexia nervosa, the fear and restriction surrounding food is not due to concerns about weight or body image. 

University of California, Berkeley

Kalamazoo College

In contrast to the widespread issue of being overweight, a significant minority of the population suffers from eating disorders, which commonly lead to being underweight. These conditions, such as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, are often characterized by an intense fear of gaining weight and can result in numerous negative health effects.

Eating Disorders 

The DSM-5-TR separates Feeding and Eating disorders into the following specific disorders:
-	Pica
-	Rumination Disorder
-	Avoidant / Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
-	Anorexia Nervosa
-	Bulimia Nervosa
-	Binge-Eating Disorder
-	Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder
-	Unspecified Feeding or Eating Disorder


[DSM-5-TR] List of Feeding and Eating Disorders

“What Is ARFID: Symptoms, Causes, and Complications.” Center For Discovery, https://centerfordiscovery.com/conditions/arfid/.

What Is ARFID

Bourne, L., Bryant-Waugh, R., Cook, J., & Mandy, W. (2020). Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: A systematic scoping review of the current literature. Psychiatry Research, 288, 112961.

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: A Systematic Scoping Review of the Current Literature

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by a cycle of binge eating—consuming a large amount of food—followed by attempts to compensate for it. These compensatory behaviors are intended to prevent weight gain.

Bulimia Nervosa

Binge eating disorder (BED), officially recognized by the American Psychiatric Association in the DSM-5 since 2013, is characterized by recurrent episodes of consuming large amounts of food. Unlike bulimia nervosa, these binges are not followed by compensatory behaviors such as purging. A key diagnostic feature is the significant psychological distress, including feelings of guilt and embarrassment, that occurs after a binge, which distinguishes the disorder from simple overeating.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

References for Bulimia Nervosa 

Pica is an eating disorder in which an individual compulsively consumes inedible items. The inedible items consumed vary by those with the disorder.

Pica

Rumination disorder is an eating disorder where an individual unconsciously regurgitates food immediately after eating. This eating disorder is rare and is most common in children.

Rumination Disorder

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

Bulimia nervosa. Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023, January 31). https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/eating-disorders/bulimia-nervosa 

Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Pica. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22944-pica 

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2018, May 5). Binge-eating disorder. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/binge-eating-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353627 

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020a, October 14). Rumination syndrome. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rumination-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20377330 

Meczekalski, B., Podfigurna-Stopa, A., & Katulski, K. (2013). Long-term consequences of anorexia nervosa. Maturitas, 75(3), 215–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2013.04.014

References for Eating Disorders: Consequences

Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED) is a category of eating disorders in which individuals do not meet full criteria for other eating disorders. Around 30% of individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder fall into this classification.

Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder

Eating disorders, particularly conditions like bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa, are associated with a wide range of severe and adverse health consequences.

Adverse Health Consequences of Eating Disorders

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder defined by maintaining a body weight significantly below average, which is achieved through methods like starvation or excessive exercise. A central characteristic of this disorder is a distorted body image, a form of body dysmorphia, where individuals perceive themselves as overweight despite being underweight.

Anorexia Nervosa

A person begins a new diet and exercise regimen with the goal of losing 10 pounds. They start counting calories and increase their physical activity. Which of the following additional observations would be the strongest indicator that this behavior is evolving into a clinical eating disorder?

Learn Before

Related

Learn After