Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Date: Tuesday, 27th Feb 2024 | Category: General

Every year, Eating Disorders Awareness Week shines a light on a key theme.

This year, we’re talking about Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID).

ARFID stands for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. It is a little known and misunderstood condition that can have serious consequences for health if left untreated. People with ARFID avoid certain foods or types of food, restrict the amount of food they eat, or both.

It often presents in these ways:

• Some children and adults find certain textures, smells or tastes overwhelming or uncomfortable
• Some people worry that eating certain foods might make them choke or feel sick, this might be based on a previous difficult experience

• Some individuals may not eat as much or be interested in a variety of foods

ARFID is different from other feeding or eating disorders; in ARFID, beliefs about weight and shape do not contribute to the avoidance or restriction of food intake.

Although people with ARFID may lose weight or have low weight, this is not a criteria for ARFID. It can occur at any weight and varies in different people.

Anyone can have ARFID. It occurs in children, teenagers and adults.

For futher information please go to: ARFID – Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk)