- Charity Beat says there is a “worrying” rise in avoidant food intake disorder AFRID
- The charity received 2,000 phone calls in 2023, up from 295 calls in 2018.
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Most toddlers and toddlers will go through a picky eating phase.
But a charity has warned of a huge rise in an eating disorder with similar symptoms, which causes people to avoid certain foods.
Known as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), it occurs when a person feels restless while eating to the point that they cannot meet their nutritional or energy needs.
Beat, an eating disorder charity, said its helpline received more than 2,000 phone calls about it last year – 10 per cent of the total – up from 295 five years earlier.
Chief executive Andrew Radford described the rise as “extremely worrying”.
Patients with ARFID typically avoid certain foods or limit what they eat, and the eating disorder can occur in children, adolescents, and adults.
He said: “It is extremely worrying that there has been such a dramatic increase in the number of people seeking support for ARFID, particularly as specialist care is not always available.”
‘Too often we hear from people who have not been able to receive treatment close to home, or who have had to wait months or even years to get the help they need.
‘ARFID is an eating disorder that rarely gets the attention it deserves, and it is unacceptable that this seems to apply to funding too.
“Now is the time for NHS leaders to ensure that anyone who needs support can get it from trained and fully equipped teams across the country.”
Recently medically recognized in 2013, it can affect people of any age, although it usually begins in childhood.
Symptoms include being a very picky eater who may have strong negative reactions to the smells, tastes, textures or colors of foods.
Sufferers may be very afraid of new foods and worry about negative experiences related to unfamiliar foods.
Experts said it’s vital to address it early before it takes hold and becomes harder to treat.
An NHS spokesperson said: “During the pandemic, referrals for eating disorders in children increased by almost 50 per cent and the NHS is clear that improving care for people with an eating disorder, including ARFID, is vital, with investment, targeted support and training to help develop community eating disorder teams in all areas of England.
‘Since 2016, investment in community eating disorder services for children and young people has increased each year, with an additional £54 million per year since last year and additional funding continues to improve the capacity of community eating disorder teams, including needs of those with ARFID, across the country.’