What is Avoidant-Restrictive Food Intake Disorder?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) defines avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder as an eating disorder that does not meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, but includes:- A disturbance in eating or food demonstrated by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional or energy needs leading to one or more of the following:
- Significant weight loss or failure to gain weight in children
- Significant nutritional deficiency
- Dependence on enteral feeding (through the intestines) or oral nutritional supplements
- Significant interference with psychosocial function
- The disturbance is not explained by lack of food availability or a culturally sanctioned practice (such as fasting)
- The disturbance does not appear in the context of anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa and there is no evidence of body dysmorphia
- The disturbance cannot be attributed to a concurrent medical condition or other mental disorder
Picky Eater?
So how can you tell the difference between picky eating and avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder? Picky eaters may discriminate in the type of foods they will eat, but still meet appropriate nutritional requirements. Examples include:- Failure to eat an adequate variety of food
- Failure to eat or try new foods
- Rejecting food for sensory reasons such as smell, flavor, look, or texture
- Will only eat three items (such as cereal, macaroni, or peanut butter and jelly)
- Will only eat foods of a certain color
- Will only eat food that is soft
- Exhibits an unreasonable fear of eating (believing that eating food will cause vomiting, choking, or stomach pain)
