Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Intake Disorder (ARFID) is not just about picky eating. It is characterised by a pattern of eating that avoids certain foods or food groups entirely and/or eating small amounts due to feelings of fear/anxiety around food
- ARFID differs from other eating disorders in that people donot restrict their food intake for the specific purpose of losing weight.
- The exact causes ARFID are are unknown. It is thought thatpeople who develop are thought to do so because of sensory sensitivity fear ofnegative consequences or a lack of interest in eating.
- They may be very sensitive to the taste texture or appearance of certain types of food or have had a distressing experience with food such as choking, infant acid reflex, vomiting or other gastrointestinal conditions.
- ARFID doesn't discriminate and can affect anyone of any age including babies and can be diagnosed in children as young as two years old.
