ARFID in Children: Signs, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Every Parent Should Know
Many children go through a phase of being picky eaters. However, when a child consistently avoids eating enough food or refuses many foods to the point that it affects their growth, nutrition, or daily life, it may be ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) . ARFID is a recognized feeding and eating disorder that commonly begins in childhood and requires early identification and treatment. Unlike anorexia, children with ARFID do not avoid food because they want to lose weight or change their body shape. Instead, food avoidance happens due to sensory sensitivities, fear of eating, or a lack of interest in food. What is ARFID? ARFID is a condition in which a child eats a very limited amount or variety of food, resulting in inadequate nutrition or poor growth. It can affect babies, toddlers, school-aged children, and teenagers. The condition may lead to weight loss, poor weight gain, vitamin deficiencies, dependence on nutritional supplements, and difficulty participating ...