HealthInfo Canterbury
About ARFID
An eating disorder called avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (usually shortened to ARFID) has recently been recognised.
People with ARFID refuse to eat most food, and eat so little they don't meet their energy or nutritional needs. It can be related to anxiety and hyper-sensitivity to certain textures and flavours.
ARFID usually starts in children or teens, but can happen in people of all ages. Children with ARFID may have delayed growth because they're not eating well enough.
ARFID is much more serious than normal childhood fussy eating, and can have serious health consequences. It's more common among males than females.
The links below provide more information about ARFID, including symptoms and treatment.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- About Kids Health – Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
This includes pages about symptoms, medical complications, treatment options, and how you can help your child at home.
- EDANZ – Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
Basic information about ARFID and its effects.
- TVNZ Sunday – The secret lives of fussy eaters
This on-demand Sunday special goes inside the homes, and thought patterns, of Kiwis who've been diagnosed with ARFID – including one young man who was so malnourished he's now legally blind.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by the South Island Eating Disorders Service, Canterbury DHB. December 2017.
Review key: HIEDI-73561
