ARFID/Picky Eating

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a diagnosis that is given to individuals who are highly selective or restrictive in what they eat, to the point that it may cause nutritional deficits or cause significant stress for the child and/or their parents.  Individuals with ARFID are not limiting or restricting their food intake in order to lose weight or have a certain body type.  Often times, ARFID stems from early sensory differences or aversive experiences with food (e.g., experiencing abdominal pain after eating).  Because eating has caused discomfort (sensory or otherwise), individuals will limit what they eat in order to try to avoid or minimize any possible discomfort.  Highly selective eating can lead to social repercussions for children as well as considerable stress in the home environment.

Having worked in specialty pediatric gastroenterology clinics for years, Dr. Lily has worked with many kids whose highly selective eating habits have led to significant stress and concerns regarding their physical health. Dr. Lily has specialized training in working with families of highly selective eaters and has observed improvements in the volume and variety of foods that kids will eat through their work together.