Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder: Comorbidities and Longitudinal Course

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) was introduced in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. ARFID is characterized by avoidant/restrictive eating and one or more of four associated consequences: (a) weight loss or failure to achieve expected weight or height gain; (b) nutritional deficiencies; (c) dependence on enteral feeding or oral nutritional supplements; and (d) psychosocial impairment. As ARFID is a relatively new diagnosis, information relevant to its course and outcomes remains limited. The objective of this chapter is to provide an overview of ARFID and to summarize the medical, behavioral, and treatment outcomes of this disorder. We begin by briefly providing an overview of the naturalistic course of picky eating. Next, we present information regarding the medical outcomes of ARFID. Finally, we end by discussing behavioral outcomes, including treatment outcomes and the emergence of other eating disorder symptoms among individuals with ARFID. Continued research is necessary to examine mechanisms of the disorder that can be addressed to improve both physical and psychological outcomes, and aid in understanding its long-term course.