Reports & Research

Here, you'll find a collection of medical studies, reports, and research papers published by professionals from around the world. These resources provide valuable insights into Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), helping to deepen our understanding of the condition and the ongoing efforts to improve diagnosis, treatment, and support.

We credit all authors and link directly to the original reports. Please note that these studies are not written by us — we simply aim to share the latest research to help inform and support those affected by ARFID.

Eating Disorder Awareness Week (EDAW)

24th February – 2nd March 2025 (UK)

Organised by Beat Eating Disorders, the leading UK charity for eating disorder support. More…

  • United Kingdom
    24th February – 2nd March 2025
    Focus on raising awareness that eating disorders can affect anyone. (Beat Eating Disorders)

    United States
    24th February – 2nd March 2025
    "The Time is Now" – Emphasising the importance of early detection and treatment. (NEDA)

    Canada
    1st – 7th February 2025
    "Embracing Possibilities" – A national movement to raise awareness and challenge stigma. (NEDIC)

    Ireland
    24th February – 2nd March 2025
    "All Stories Matter" – Encouraging sharing and listening to diverse experiences with eating disorders. (Bodywhys)

    At present, there is no dedicated ARFID Awareness Week globally, but ARFID is increasingly being highlighted during EDAW, particularly in the UK and other countries. For example, Beat Eating Disorders UK has previously focused on ARFID during EDAW.

Evidence Review

BEAT Eating Disorders

ARFID: A Brief Evidence Review for Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2024

This evidence review provides a comprehensive summary of current research on Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), highlighting its causes, prevalence, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options. ARFID is a serious eating disorder distinct from anorexia or bulimia, as it is not driven by body image concerns but rather by sensory sensitivities, lack of interest in food, or fear of adverse eating consequences.

The review highlights the growing prevalence of ARFID, particularly among autistic individuals and those with anxiety disorders, while also emphasising significant gaps in research, diagnosis, and treatment accessibility. The findings reinforce the urgent need for more awareness, early intervention, and better clinical guidelines to support individuals and families affected by ARFID.

This report is valuable for parents, caregivers, and professionals seeking to better understand ARFID, recognise its symptoms, and advocate for improved support and treatment options.

  • The report outlines the key characteristics of ARFID, differentiating it from other eating disorders and highlighting its complex causes and symptoms. It discusses:

    • Prevalence: ARFID is more common than previously thought, with rates higher than anorexia and bulimia in certain groups.

    • Risk Factors: ARFID is strongly associated with autism, anxiety, OCD, and past traumatic food-related experiences (e.g., choking incidents).

    • Symptoms & Impact: Individuals with ARFID may experience malnutrition, growth issues, social difficulties, and mental health challenges.

    • Treatment Barriers: A lack of awareness, stigma, and limited specialized services make diagnosis and treatment difficult.

    • Treatment Approaches: While research is still developing, CBT, family-based interventions, and gradual food exposure therapy have shown promise.

    The report underscores the need for more research and structured healthcare support to ensure individuals with ARFID receive timely and effective treatment.

    • ARFID is distinct from picky eating and other eating disorders – it is not motivated by weight concerns but by sensory issues, low appetite, or fear of eating consequences.

    • Prevalence is rising, with ARFID affecting 0.3%–17.9% of the general population and up to 32% of clinical eating disorder cases.

    • Autism, ADHD, and anxiety disorders are strongly linked to ARFID, but not all individuals with ARFID have these conditions.

    • Symptoms include nutritional deficiencies, social isolation, and extreme dietary restrictions, leading to physical and mental health complications.

    • Treatment options are still limited, but CBT, exposure therapy, and family-based interventions show potential.

    • More research, awareness, and clinical guidance are needed to improve ARFID diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes.

      This review is an essential resource for parents, educators, and healthcare professionals looking to better understand ARFID and advocate for greater support and recognition.

Review by Dr. Michelle Sader, Dr. Sam Chawner, Dr. Emy Nimbley, Dr. Karri Gillespie-Smith, Dr. Fiona Duffy
Published 2024

ARFID Research Paper

ACAMH - The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health

Current Evidence for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Implications for Clinical Practice and Future Directions

The paper highlights ARFID's complexity, diagnostic challenges, and treatment gaps, urging better screening tools, multi-disciplinary care models, and evidence-based interventions. While promising treatments exist, further research is essential for refining clinical guidelines and improving patient outcomes.

  • Background

    ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder) is a relatively new diagnostic term covering a number of well-recognised, clinically significant disturbances in eating behaviour unrelated to body weight/shape concerns. Its phenotypic heterogeneity combined with much about the condition remaining unknown, can contribute to uncertainties about best practice. While other reviews of the evidence base for ARFID exist, few specifically target health care professionals and implications for clinical practice.

    Methods

    A narrative review was conducted to synthesise the findings of ARFID papers in scientific journals focussing on four key areas relevant to clinical practice: prevalence, assessment and characterisation of clinical presentations, treatment, and service delivery. Freely available online databases were searched for case studies and series, research reports, review articles, and meta-analyses. Findings were reviewed and practice implications considered, resulting in proposed clinical recommendations and future research directions.

    Results

    We discuss what is currently known about the four key areas included in this review. Based on available evidence as well as gaps identified in the literature, recommendations for clinical practice are derived and practice-related research priorities are proposed for each of the four of the areas explored.

    Conclusion

    Prevalence studies highlight the need for referral and care pathways to be embedded across a range of health care services. While research into ARFID is increasing, further studies across all areas of ARFID are required and there remains a pressing need for guidance on systematic assessment, evidence-based management, and optimal service delivery models. Informed clinical practice is currently predominantly reliant on expert consensus and small-scale studies, with ongoing routine clinical data capture, robust treatment trials and evaluation of clinical pathways all required. Despite this, a number a positive practice points emerge.

    • ARFID is a heterogeneous diagnostic category, with multidisciplinary and multi-modal assessment and treatment approaches recommended.

    • Further work on systematic assessment and characterisation of clinical presentations will facilitate ARFID profile recognition and support development of optimal treatment planning.

    • Recommended ARFID management includes targeting maintaining factors of the eating disturbance through a psychological treatment intervention alongside medical, dietetic and other indicated interventions tailored to address domains of impact and risk specific to the individual.

    • Optimal service provision requires integrated referral and care pathways, which may involve networks of professionals and services, to ensure timely, appropriate care.

    • Analysis of routinely captured clinical data can helpfully complement research studies to support evidence-based clinical practice and patient-centred care.

Research Paper by Tanith Archibald ∙ Rachel Bryant‐Waugh
Published 03 April 2023

ARFID Research Report

eClinicalMedicine - Part of THE LANCET Discovery Science

The Clinical Presentation of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in Children and Adolescents is Largely Independent of Sex, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Anxiety Traits

This study explores the clinical characteristics of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in children and adolescents. It investigates whether ARFID symptoms are influenced by factors like sex, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and anxiety traits. The findings suggest that while ASD can intensify sensory sensitivities and lack of interest in eating, these factors do not significantly alter the overall presentation of ARFID. The study highlights the multi-faceted nature of ARFID and underscores the importance of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary assessment in diagnosis and treatment.

Why is this important? Understanding ARFID's complexity helps parents, caregivers, and professionals recognize that ARFID is not a one-size-fits-all disorder. This research reinforces the need for tailored, multi-disciplinary support rather than assuming a single cause or treatment approach.

  • This study analysed 261 children and adolescents diagnosed with ARFID at the Maudsley Centre for Child and Adolescent Eating Disorders. Researchers assessed the three main ARFID drivers:

    1. Sensory sensitivities (e.g., texture, taste, or appearance of food)

    2. Lack of interest in eating

    3. Fear of aversive consequences (e.g., choking or vomiting)

    The findings showed no significant differences in ARFID symptoms based on sex, and while ASD was linked to increased sensory sensitivities and reduced food interest, it did not drastically change ARFID’s core symptoms. Anxiety traits, particularly those related to panic and generalized anxiety, were closely associated with fear-based food avoidance. The study reinforces the idea that ARFID is highly individualised, requiring multi-disciplinary assessment and personalised treatment.

    • ARFID symptoms are interconnected – sensory sensitivities, lack of interest, and fear of aversive consequences often co-occur rather than appearing in isolation.

    • No significant differences between sexes – both males and females experience ARFID in similar ways.

    • ASD can amplify ARFID symptoms – especially sensory-based avoidance and low interest in eating, but does not fundamentally change the disorder.

    • Anxiety plays a key role – symptoms related to panic disorder and generalized anxiety are strongly linked to food-related fears.

    • Multi-disciplinary care is essential – ARFID requires input from mental health professionals, dietitians, and medical doctors to fully address its complexities.

      This study emphasises the need for individualised care plans rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.