Recognizing the Signs of ARFID in Children (Post 3 of 5)
- Amanda Markwardt
- Mar 19, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 5, 2025
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) can present in different ways, depending on which of the three main subtypes of ARFID a child is struggling with:
Sensory sensitivity - experiencing disgust or discomfort when presented with or eating certain textures, tastes, or smells.
Fear of negative outcomes - feelings of fear, anxiety, or panic over the possibility of chocking, vomiting, having digestive pain, or other negative consequences.
Low interest or pleasure in eating - not seeming interested in eating, not seeming to enjoy very many types of foods, or being bothered to stop for meals.
Depending on the subtype your child has, you will see a variety of signs - and they don't have to have all of them to benefit from support!
1. Medical Signs
Failure to thrive or poor growth – At the extreme end, your child may be falling off growth charts, missing growth spurts during early childhood or post-puberty, or they may simply not gaining weight as expected.
Consistently low weight - Some children with ARFID simply maintain a very low weight, even if they are on a similar growth curve as they have always been on.
Frequent illness - Their bodies are working so hard to grow and function on limited resources that they become more susceptible to illness.
Physical signs of nutritional deficiencies – Dry skin, brittle hair and nails, pale skin, delayed wound healing, tooth decay or cavities,
Poor digestion - Complaints of constipation, loose stools, upset stomachs, food sensitivity, bloating, or feeling full after small amounts of food.
Aches and pains - constant complaints of headaches, bone pain, growth pains, and muscle aches that may seem unexplained or more frequent than expected.
Fatigue - having a hard time waking up in the morning, going to sleep, or maintaining energy through the day. They may be chronically stuck on "slow" mode, or have energy that goes up and down.
2. Behavioral Signs
Noticeably selective with food choices – Eating only a narrow range of foods, often based on texture, color, or brand.
Meltdowns, anxiety, avoidance, or "stubbornness" around mealtimes – Refusal, crying, tantrums, gagging, or distress when faced with new or non-preferred foods.
Avoidance of entire food groups – Refusing to eat proteins, fruits, vegetables, or any food that isn’t part of their preferred list.
Reliance on specific food preparations – Only eating food prepared in a certain way, such as plain pasta with no sauce or meat being cooked in a very specific way and cut into small pieces.
Expressing fear, disgust, or resistance – They may complain of being "grossed out" by certain smells, tastes, textures, or fears of choking, throwing up, allergic reactions, or stomach pains.
Concentration - They may have a hard time maintaining attention, remembering, or seem "spacey" or like they "just don't listen".
3. Social and Emotional Signs
Difficulty eating in social settings – Avoiding birthday parties, school lunches, family dinners, or coming home with an uneaten school lunch.
Emotional distress related to eating – Frustration, fear, or embarrassment about eating.
Increased conflicts at home – Mealtime battles leading to stress and tension within the family.
Mood - Mood swings, low mood, depression, anxiety, or irritability.
Many of these can be a normal part of the human experience, so how do you know if things like fatigue, moodiness, or even being a naturally smaller person is potentially ARFID?
Look for:
Multiple signs from the list above (and likely others).
Signs and behaviors will be persistent across time.
Signs that are outside of a range of "normal" developmental preferences or pickiness.
Worsening over time.
Keep in mind that ARFID exists on a spectrum and early intervention is key from worsening symptoms - early intervention is better, hopefully before medical impacts have begun!
You can take the ARFID 9-Item Screener here:
Comments