Eating Disorders · Texas behavioral health news
This Eating Disorder Has More than Tripled Recently—but You Probably Still Haven’t Heard of It - Women's Health
Eating Disorders (Google News) · June 15, 2026
In plain language
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder where people strictly limit what they eat due to sensory issues, fear of choking, or a lack of interest in food. Unlike other eating disorders, it is not driven by concerns about body weight or image. While it can look like picky eating, ARFID can lead to serious health problems like nutritional deficiencies and causes deep stress during social activities involving food. Increased awareness is helping doctors correctly diagnose people who were previously overlooked.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- ARFID is driven by sensory sensitivities or fear of physical consequences rather than body image concerns.
- The condition affects between one and five percent of the general population and is more common in children.
- People with ARFID may avoid specific food textures, colors, or smells that feel overwhelming or scary.
- ARFID is more likely to occur in people with ADHD, autism, anxiety, or obsessive compulsive disorder.
- Potential signs include extreme nutritional deficiencies and significant disruptions to daily social life.
- Exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy can help patients gradually reintroduce new foods in a safe, manageable way.
This Eating Disorder Has More than Tripled Recently—but You Probably Still Haven’t Heard of It Women's Health
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