Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID is an eating disorder characterized by avoidance or restriction of food intake due to sensory sensitivities, fear of choking or vomiting, or low interest in food, without concerns about weight or body image.
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
ARFID is an eating disorder characterized by avoidance or restriction of food intake due to sensory sensitivities, fear of choking or vomiting, or low interest in food, without concerns about weight or body image. ARFID can lead to significant nutritional deficiencies, growth delays, and social impairment. In Saudi Arabia, ARFID is often under-recognized, particularly in children where picky eating is common and dismissed as typical. Failure to diagnose can result in chronic malnutrition and developmental delays.
What constitutes ARFID?
- Persistent avoidance or restriction of food intake
- Significant nutritional deficiency, weight loss, dependence on supplements, or interference with psychosocial functioning
- Not motivated by body image concerns
Symptoms and warning signs
- Limited food variety due to texture, color, or smell
- Fear of choking or vomiting
- Fatigue, developmental delays, weight loss, or stunted growth
- Avoidance of social eating situations
Causes and risk factors
- Sensory sensitivities or gastrointestinal discomfort
- Early negative feeding experiences
- Anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorder, or other developmental conditions
- Family reinforcement of restrictive behaviors
Treatment approaches
- CBT-AR: structured behavioral therapy addressing food avoidance
- Nutritional rehabilitation: gradual introduction of new foods
- Occupational therapy: sensory integration techniques
- Family-based therapy: supporting positive feeding environments
Why Act Center for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia?
Our experienced therapists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia offer expert care to help children and adults expand their food intake and overcome sensory or fear-based eating challenges.
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