ARFID
(Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder)
ARFID is an eating disorder often comorbid with autism, anxiety disorders, ADHD, digestive disorders or food allergies.
3 types of ARFID (1 or more main symptoms):
Symptoms leading to diagnosis:
significant weight loss, or in children, lack of expected weight gain
significant nutritional deficiency
dependence on nutritional supplements or tube-feeding
marked interference with psychosocial, and potentially physical, functioning.
Note: A diagnosis of ARFID requires:
- inadequate food intake is not better explained by limited access to food or a medical condition,
- is not related to negative body image or fear of weight gain,
- and that the avoidance or restriction is not a cultural practice.
Start the discussion with your pediatrician or family doctor. Occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, psychologists, and pediatricians may become a part of your working team to support your family and child.
Regional Supports for Eating Disorders
Victoria (serves all of BC):
- Little Spuds Nutrition – Pediatrics, Family and Eating Disorder Nutrition Counselling
- Responsive Feeding Centre of BC: Building Mealtime Success (responsivefeedingbc.ca)
Vancouver (serves all of BC)
- One Bite at a Time (obaatfeeding.com)
Provincial support
- Locate Programs & Treatment Centres – Kelty Eating Disorders
Online Supports for ARFID or related ED’s:
- NEDIC | Home
- NEDIC | Avoidant and Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
- Not just picky eating: avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder explained (nedic.ca)
- Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), Information for BC Families: eMentalHealth.ca
- Primary Food Group Building Blocks-1-13-18 (keltyeatingdisorders.ca)
By Family Support Institute of BC