Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder
ARFID stands for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder. ARFID is characterized by highly selective eating habits, altered feeding patterns, or both. Individuals with ARFID are unable to meet their nutritional needs, which can result in low weight, difficulty maintaining appropriate growth and development, nutritional deficiency, dependence on nutritional supplements, and/or difficulty functioning in social settings involving food. Individuals with ARFID may have a difficult time meeting their needs because of sensory sensitivity, lack of interest in eating, or fear of aversive consequences with eating.
How a Registered Dietitian can help:
- Assess anthropometric data (height/weight) to ensure maintaining appropriate growth and development
- Assess nutrition intake vs nutrition need
- Identify nutritional priority in the introduction of new foods
- Guided food exposures to aid with increasing variety and tolerance of new foods
- Create a balanced meal plan utilizing preferred foods in structure and timing of meals and snacks
- Education regarding the right balance of macro/micronutrients and the role they play in the body
- Dietary supplement recommendations
ARFID Screening & Next Steps
ARFID Self-Report Screening Tool (PARDI-AR-Q)
The PARDI-AR-Q is a validated self-report screening tool designed to identify symptoms consistent with Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). It is based on the Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Interview (PARDI) and helps assess patterns related to food avoidance, restriction, sensory sensitivity, lack of interest in eating, and fear of adverse consequences.
This screening tool is intended to support early identification and informed conversations with a healthcare provider. It is not a diagnostic tool, but can help determine whether further evaluation or nutrition support may be beneficial.