Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder in which people do not get enough food or nutrients due to a lack of interest in food or concerns about food intake. about the consequences of eating. These include certain sensory aversions or fears about bodily reactions such as choking or vomiting. Thus, the person is unable to maintain a healthy weight and adequate nutritional needs. People with ARFID do not consume enough to meet their nutritional and energy needs. An eating or eating disorder may result in: significant weight loss; significant nutritional deficiencies; impairment of a person's mental health or social life. The diagnosis is made if the person's eating pattern was not caused by a lack of available food, developmental stage, cultural practice, other mental illness, or medical problem. The disease mostly occurs during childhood, but can sometimes occur in adolescence and adulthood. Signs that someone may have ARFID include significant weight loss, exhaustion, persistent lack of energy, constant feeling of cold, persistent abdominal pain, sudden food restrictions, dependence on food additives, fear of choking, vomiting or stomach pain, strong preferences for food texture, thin hair, brittle nails, and in women, menstrual irregularities. It can be difficult to distinguish between a picky person and someone with an eating disorder behavior. As long as a person's food quirks don't interfere with their ability to meet their calorie and nutrient needs and they function well in daily life, they're probably just a picky eater. If not, it may have ARFID. Other potential signs of ARFID include refusal to eat due to sensory issues and sudden onset of voluntary food restrictions. People with anorexia refrain from eating due to concerns about their shape and weight. Potential signs of anorexia include skipping meals, eating tiny portions, and not eating in front of others. But people with ARFID have no such fears; their disgust stems from the experience of eating itself. Scientists don't fully understand why ARFID develops, but several factors can increase your likelihood of developing this disease. One of them is problems related to food intake, such as gastrointestinal problems, acid reflux and vomiting. Another factor is anxious parents with eating disorders. Another factor is the presence of certain mental health conditions, such as autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. People with ARFID have higher rates of autism than the general population. One reason people with ARFID avoid certain foods is because they are bothered by the taste, smell, temperature, color, or texture. People with autism also struggle with sensory sensitivity, so continually avoiding certain foods to the point that they suffer from malnutrition can lead to a diagnosis of ARFID. Research has shown that 1.5 percent of children aged 8 to 18 years in gastroenterology clinics have been diagnosed with ARFID. Treatment depends on the severity of the condition. The goal of treatment is to meet a person's physical and nutritional needs while addressing underlying anxiety and strengthening the ability to eat. Cognitive behavioral therapy, which helps change distorted or unproductive thinking patterns, can benefit those suffering from ARFID, whether it is provided in an individual or family context. Therapy may focus on introducing the person to new foods, addressing food-related fears and sensitivities, and.