What Is ARFID?
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a serious eating disorder that can affect children, teens and adults. People with ARFID may:
- Frequently avoid eating
- Restrict the amount of food they eat
- Avoid eating specific foods
There is no one single cause of ARFID. Instead, the causes of ARFID include:
- Genetic
- Social and cultural
- Psychological
ARFID is far more than picky eating since it leads to nutritional and medical deficiencies. Take a deeper look into the causes of ARFID here.
Genetic causes of ARFID
Genetic factors can strongly influence your risk of developing an eating disorder. Eating disorders can be familial illnesses, and there are certain temperamental traits that can predispose someone to develop an eating disorder. These traits can be passed from generation to generation.
Molecular hereditary
Like many mental health conditions, hereditary can be a cause for some eating disorder behaviors. Every human is born with a genetic code, which may exhibit patterns in certain health conditions, such as ARFID.[1]
Environmental influence
Another genetic factor that might cause an individual to experience symptoms of an eating disorder is an environmental influence from family members. This can come from:
- Meal preparation
- Observing family members’ behaviors with food and exposure to diets
- Restrictive eating in the home.[2]
Social & cultural causes of ARFID
Social and cultural causes of ARFID and other eating disorders also exist. Cultural pressures to eat clean, pure or healthy, as well as increased interests in food processing, sourcing, packing and environmental impacts of food can influence food beliefs and intake.
Healthy appearance expectations
In many cultures in society today, there is often a misconception that looking thin is the equivalent of being healthy. This is a common cause of eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, which can co-occur with ARFID.
Rigid food beliefs
Another sociocultural factor that can be seen in those struggling with ARFID symptoms is food beliefs. This can include moral beliefs about eating meat and dairy, or how these food items are prepared.
Psychological causes of ARFID
People who have mental health symptoms related to OCD, anxiety, ADHD and autism may also experience ARFID symptoms.
OCD
Symptoms of ARFID can co-occur with OCD. In some extreme cases, obsessions with food intake or preparation can lead to ritualistic compulsions.[3] If you are concerned that you or a loved one may be struggling with an eating disorder and OCD, know that there are many treatments that can help, including exposure and response prevention therapy.
Anxiety
Anxiety can be linked with ARFID, specifically in those who experience anxieties and fears around eating. They may avoid eating out of fear that they will choke, vomit or even die if they eat certain foods.
ADHD
ADHD can affect one’s eating habits. Some people with ADHD don’t have strong hunger cues. They go long periods without eating, they may eat smaller meals and snack less. They may simply forget to eat. Preparing food can take a lot of organization and coordination. Eating can be easily forgotten or procrastinated on.
Autism
There is a clear connection between autism and ARFID. Many people with autism have strong sensory sensitivity. Due to sensory issues, these individuals may not eat enough to maintain their body weight and nutritional needs. You may see increased anxiety around food and mealtime.
Get more exclusive insights about autism and ARFID by listening to the Mental Note Podcast featuring clinical psychologist Dr. Michelle Jones.
Find expert help for ARFID and other eating disorders
Living with ARFID or watching a loved one struggle can feel overwhelming and isolating. Please know you are not alone — help is available, and recovery is possible. If you need help, seek out a licensed, experienced eating disorder specialist who can guide you toward healing and lasting change.
If you’re ready to make a change today, call (866) 622-5914 or fill out this form to be connected with our compassionate admissions team. They are here to listen, empathize with your experiences and connect you with the support that best matches your needs.
Find help for ARFID at Eating Recovery Center Baltimore, the nation’s most specialized ARFID treatment program for children and teens.