A Diet High in Processed Foods, Total Carbohydrates and Added Sugars, and Low in Vegetables and Protein Is Characteristic of Youth with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is characterized in part by limited dietary variety, but dietary characteristics of this disorder have not yet been systematically studied. Our objective was to examine dietary intake defined by diet variety, macronutrient intake, and micronutrient intake in children and adolescents with full or subthreshold ARFID in comparison to healthy controls. We collected and analyzed four-day food record data for 52 participants with full or subthreshold ARFID, and 52 healthy controls, aged 9-22 years. We examined frequency of commonly reported foods by logistic regression and intake by food groups, macronutrients, and micronutrients between groups with repeated-measures ANOVA. Participants with full or subthreshold ARFID did not report any fruit or vegetable category in their top five most commonly reported food categories, whereas these food groups occupied three of the top five groups for healthy controls. Vegetable and protein intake were significantly lower in full or subthreshold ARFID compared to healthy controls. Intakes of added sugars and total carbohydrates were significantly higher in full or subthreshold ARFID compared to healthy controls. Individuals with full or subthreshold ARFID had lower intake of vitamins K and B12, consistent with limited vegetable and protein intake compared to healthy controls. Our results support the need for diet diversification as part of therapeutic interventions for ARFID to reduce risk for nutrient insufficiencies and related complications.
['Harshman|Stephanie G|SG|', 'Wons|Olivia|O|', 'Rogers|Madeline S|MS|', 'Izquierdo|Alyssa M|AM|', 'Holmes|Tara M|TM|', 'Pulumo|Reitumetse L|RL|', 'Asanza|Elisa|E|', 'Eddy|Kamryn T|KT|', 'Misra|Madhusmita|M|', 'Micali|Nadia|N|', 'Lawson|Elizabeth A|EA|0000-0001-8619-3349', 'Thomas|Jennifer J|JJ|']
D000293:Adolescent D000294:Adolescent Behavior D000367:Age Factors D000080146:Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder D002648:Child D002652:Child Behavior D018753:Diet, Protein-Restricted D004044:Dietary Proteins D000073417:Dietary Sugars D057140:Fast Foods D005247:Feeding Behavior D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D009753:Nutritive Value D064167:Recommended Dietary Allowances D018570:Risk Assessment D012307:Risk Factors D014675:Vegetables D055815:Young Adult
avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder ARFID dietary intake dietary recall nutritional insufficiency