Question 1

What is ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)?

Accepted Answer

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder where someone eats a limited amount or range of food, but not because of concerns about weight or body shape. ARFID may be driven by sensory differences, low interest in food or appetite, fear of consequences such as choking or vomiting, or a combination of these.ARFID can affect children, teenagers and adults and can impact nutrition, growth, health, relationships and participation in everyday life.

Question 2

How do I know if my child has ARFID?

Accepted Answer

Signs of ARFID can include eating a very small range or amount of food, significant anxiety or distress around eating, fear of choking or vomiting, strong sensory responses to food or very little interest in eating.ARFID becomes particularly important to consider when restricted eating affects nutrition, growth, reliance on nutritional supplements or participation in everyday life. A child does not have to be underweight to have ARFID.

Question 3

What is the difference between ARFID and picky or fussy eating?

Accepted Answer

Picky or fussy eating is common in childhood and often improves over time. ARFID is more than everyday picky eating and has a significant impact on nutrition, growth or someone's ability to participate in everyday life.If your child eats only a small range of foods, is becoming increasingly selective or mealtimes are causing significant distress, an ARFID or feeding assessment can help identify what is driving their eating difficulties.

Question 4

Can my child have ARFID if they are growing normally or aren't underweight?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You do not have to be underweight to have ARFID. Some children and adults with ARFID maintain expected growth or live in larger bodies while experiencing nutritional deficiencies, reliance on supplements or significant disruption to social and everyday life.Growth and weight are therefore only part of a comprehensive ARFID assessment.

Question 5

How is ARFID assessed?

Accepted Answer

An ARFID assessment looks at much more than the number of foods someone eats. Assessment may explore nutrition and growth, sensory processing, appetite and interoception, anxiety or fear around eating, gastrointestinal and medical factors, neurodevelopment and how eating affects everyday life.Because ARFID can be complex, other health professionals may also need to be involved depending on the individual's needs.

Question 6

Is ARFID related to autism or ADHD?

Accepted Answer

ARFID and significant feeding differences are commonly seen alongside neurodevelopmental differences, including autism and ADHD. Sensory processing, interoception, executive functioning, predictability, anxiety and differences in appetite can all affect eating.Neurodiversity-affirming ARFID support seeks to understand these differences and provide appropriate accommodations rather than simply trying to make someone's eating look more typical.

Question 7

What does ARFID treatment involve?

Accepted Answer

ARFID treatment should be individualised according to what is driving the eating difficulty. Support may include improving nutritional adequacy, reducing anxiety and pressure around food, supporting regulation and felt safety, providing sensory or environmental accommodations and, where appropriate, building capacity around food.Progress does not have to be measured only by the number of foods someone eats. Nourishment, reduced distress, participation, autonomy and quality of life can also be important outcomes.

Question 8

Can adults have ARFID?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ARFID occurs across the lifespan. Some adults with ARFID have eaten a very limited range of foods since childhood and developed strategies and accommodations that have allowed them to manage, while others experience increasing difficulties with eating later in life.Adult ARFID support can focus on nutrition, understanding individual eating differences, reducing shame and anxiety, developing accommodations and identifying changes that would genuinely improve quality of life.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)?

How do I know if my child has ARFID?

What is the difference between ARFID and picky or fussy eating?

Can my child have ARFID if they are growing normally or aren't underweight?

How is ARFID assessed?

Is ARFID related to autism or ADHD?

What does ARFID treatment involve?

Can adults have ARFID?

Media & Resources

Sharing conversations that inform, inspire and support.

As Seen In

Podcasts

The Parenting Place

One Young Mind

Untidy Podcast

All Things Food

Peaceful Learning

Tough Mothers

RNZ Afternoons

Articles & Features

Interviews

Still unsure which service is right for you?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)?

How do I know if my child has ARFID?

What is the difference between ARFID and picky or fussy eating?

Can my child have ARFID if they are growing normally or aren't underweight?

How is ARFID assessed?

Is ARFID related to autism or ADHD?

What does ARFID treatment involve?

Can adults have ARFID?

Media &
Resources

Sharing conversations that inform,
inspire and support.