Specialist ARFID Service
The Specialist Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Service was set up for children, young people and adults who are struggling with their eating, and which is adversely affecting their health and quality of life
Eating Difficulties and ARFID
Picky eating, fussy eating, and selective eating, are all terms used to describe an individual’s eating behaviour where there may be a reduction in the range of accepted foods, the quantity of food eaten, and/or difficulties trying new foods.
An individual may meet diagnostic threshold for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) if the food avoidance or restriction is associated with one or more of the following:
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significant weight loss or faltering growth
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nutritional deficiencies ​
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a dependence on vitamin and mineral supplements or tube feeding
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an impact on an individual’s psychosocial functioning (e.g. their ability to go about their daily lives and socialise)
ARFID is typically driven by one or more of the following:
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Sensory-based avoidance: such that the individual may struggle with the sight, smell, taste or texture of foods.
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A low interest in food/eating: whereby the individual does not like or enjoy eating or struggles to recognise hunger.
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Fear-based avoidance: when an individual fears a negative or distressing outcome from eating.
For more information please see FAQs and Resources section.
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Thankfully, difficulties with eating can improve and this service was set up to try and reduce the risk and impact of ARFID.