Specialist area:
ARFID stands for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
This term refers to individuals who present with a severely restricted diet - either of the types, or quantities of food eaten, or both. This may be because of the taste, appearance or feel of the food (sensory factors), it may be because of lack of appetite (low interest in food), or due to previous negative experience, pain, vomiting or choking (fear avoidance). Often, it is a combination of factors.
Who do specialist ARFID dietitians help?
An individual with a suspected or confirmed ARFID diagnosis may present to several different services.
You may be seen in a specialist ARFID or eating disorder service, with an experienced dietitian working as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside other professionals such as doctors, psychologists, occupational therapists, and nurses. Or you may be seen in a stand-alone dietetic clinic where the dietitian will be focusing on food and drink intake and assessing how adequate your diet is. Nutritional deficiencies and or growth concerns may be present, and the dietitian will provide guidance and support in addressing these.
You may avoid eating socially or may feel unable to eat outside of your home. Your dietitian can help if social eating and eating outside of the home is challenging and affecting how you want to live your life.
How do specialist ARFID dietitians work?
ARFID is unique to each person. Having gained an understanding of your needs, your ARFID dietitian will support you to manage your condition by providing education and resources. This work will be at a pace which works for you and may include small, planned exposures to new foods and/or specific changes to your food or drinks. Working with a dietitian could also involve adding nutritional supplements, or micronutritional supplements depending on your needs and risks. These 'nutritional care plans' are always devised with you, not for you. They take your needs and goals into account alongside any presenting health risks.
Health risks are identified from several factors. These include anthropometrics (height, weight, growth assessment), nutritional assessment (3-5 day food diary review), and biochemical assessment (where available). All results and any risks will be shared with you in a way that you understand, so that you and your ARFID dietitian can work on your care plan together.
You may see your dietitian one-to-one or in group sessions. Depending on age, some group sessions may be aimed at parents only.
Please note:
The BDA ARFID Sub-Group does not give advice directly to individual members of the public. Please find help via your local healthcare provider.