Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a unique eating disorder characterized by avoidance or restriction in food consumption. Unlike other eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, individuals with ARFID do not restrict food intake due to a desire for thinness or fear of weight gain. Rather, their avoidance is often driven by a fear of negative consequences after eating, sensory sensitivities, or a lack of interest in food.
Prevalence estimates suggest that ARFID affects up to 16% of children and adolescents and 4% of adults. While some cross-sectional research has explored different profiles within ARFID, longitudinal studies are needed to track the course of the disorder over time and predict outcomes.
In a recent study by Kambanis et al. (2024), researchers aimed to evaluate the progression of ARFID over a 2-year period in a sample of young people. The study followed participants prospectively, meaning they were tracked over time rather than looking back at past data. Participants with full or subthreshold ARFID symptoms were recruited and assessed at baseline, 1-year, and 2-year follow-up using standardized measures.
Results from the study showed that nearly half of the participants maintained their ARFID diagnosis over the 2-year period, while others experienced remission, relapse, or transitions between full and subthreshold symptoms. Predictors of outcome included baseline severity in food sensitivity and lack of interest in food/eating.
Strengths of the study included its prospective design, naturalistic approach, and use of clinical interviews with strong psychometric properties. However, limitations included a modest sample size, lack of diversity in the sample, a wide age range, short follow-up period, and reliance on medical records for some data.
Overall, the study sheds light on the distinct and persistent nature of ARFID as an eating disorder and highlights the need for further research to better understand the course and outcomes of this condition.
