'We were at crisis point': The little-known eating disorder that is on the rise
'We were at crisis point': The little-known eating disorder that is on the rise
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Cases of a little-known eating disorder called Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) are increasing, with growing numbers of families struggling to access adequate support, charities say. Despite its potentially severe impact on physical and mental health, ARFID remains poorly understood, and many local health services are unequipped to address the condition, leading to a postcode lottery of treatment.
ARFID is characterised by an extreme aversion to certain foods due to their taste, texture, smell, or appearance, or an intense fear of eating triggered by a traumatic event, such as choking. It was only recognised as an eating disorder diagnosis in 2013.
Unlike anorexia or bulimia, ARFID is not driven by concerns about body image. The condition can lead to malnutrition, social isolation, and significant anxiety, yet treatment options remain limited. Recent figures from the eating disorder charity Beat reveal that one in seven calls to its helpline now concern ARFID, compared to one in 50 just five years ago.
Some 28% of calls regarding children under-16 are now about the condition. Despite this, Beat estimates eight in 10 eating disorder services in England do not clearly state whether they treat ARFID on their websites. Woman becomes world's longest-living recipient of pig organ transplant: 'I feel like superwoman'.
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