ABSTRACT
ARFID emerged as a new diagnosis in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition as an expansion and reformulation of the DSM-IV feeding disorder of infancy or early childhood. ARFID is characterized by a persistent pattern of eating that is limited in variety and/or volume of food and is associated with significant medical and/or psychosocial consequences. The ARFID diagnosis encompasses a heterogeneous patient group; thus, treatment must be flexible. Treatment strategies and targets may depend upon an individual’s weight status, age, nutritional state, medical complications, and the complex nature of the possible presentation types. The weight profiles of individuals with ARFID vary across the weight spectrum, from underweight to overweight, adding a special challenge in defining treatment plans and targets.
