Sacramento expert explains ARFID, an eating disorder often mistaken for being a picky eater
SACRAMENTO – Experts in Sacramento are seeing a rise in a little-known eating disorder that primarily affects adolescents. It's called ARFID and can often be mistaken for just being a picky eater.
ARFID stands for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. It's an eating disorder but there's a big difference when you compare it to something like anorexia.
"The difference is it's not driven by body image issues. So it would be kiddos who struggle with textures and flavors of food to where it really limits the amount of food they can have," said Leilani Sechler, the clinical director at Eating Recovery Center in Sacramento.
Sechler said in addition to aversion to taste and textures, people can have a fear of eating in public or might be worried about throwing up in front of people.
She says cases of ARFID are on the rise.
"It's something we're seeing a lot more of," Sechler said. "I don't know if it's becoming more and more common or if it's that people are recognizing more and more that this is a type of eating disorder that also needs treatment."
She says the main difference between this and picky eaters is picky eaters grow out of it. So what should parents watch out for?
"So if it's this kind of this long-standing, like my kiddo can really only tolerate a few foods, it starts to affect their ability to continue their growth trajectory on their growth chart. You start to see other signs of malnourishment," Sechler said.
ARFID can affect anyone but is mostly seen in kids. Treatments include seeing a dietician, counseling and programs to help build up a tolerance to certain foods.
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