Health Concerns Associated with ARFID

Health concerns associated with eating disorders, including ARFID:

• Faltering growth or impaired growth

• Weight loss, not gaining weight or not following weight curves in children and adolescents

• Nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies of vitamins, minerals and/or protein

• Enteral tube feeding or reliance on nutritional supplement drinks

• Malnutrition

• Low weight/underweight

• Delayed puberty or impaired pubertal development

• Gastrointestinal symptoms, including constipation, bloating, abdominal pain and early satiety

Malnutrition can cause:

• Slow pulse

• Dizziness and fainting

• Dehydration

• Reduced bone density (osteoporosis) and weakened muscles

• Difficulty concentrating and impaired cognitive functioning

• Changes in mood and inflexible thinking

• Menstrual irregularities or loss of menstruation

• Constipation and/or other gastrointestinal problems

• Electrolyte disturbances

• Fatigue and weakness

• Brittle nails

• Dry hair and/or hair loss

• Growth of fine body hair

• Lack of appetite

• Nutrient deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, and changes in thyroid function associated with severe malnutrition

• Feeling cold all the time and/or cold hands and feet

• Swelling/oedema, including swollen feet, can occur in severe malnutrition

• Weakened immune system

• Poor wound healing

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed., text rev.; DSM-5-TR). American Psychiatric Association Publishing.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. (2017, updated 2020). Eating disorders: recognition and treatment (NG69). Updated 2020.

Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne. Clinical Practice Guidelines: Management of Eating Disorders in the Emergency Department.