31 .

9c Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
formerly known as feeding disorder of infancy or early childhood
characterized by a lack of interest in food, or its avoidance based
on the sensory features of the food or the perceived
consequences of eating.
This newly included DSM-5 disorder adds more detail about the
nature of the eating problems, and has also been expanded to
include adolescents and adults.
manifested by a persistent failure to meet nutritional or energy
needs as evi denced by one or more of the following:
o significant weight loss or failure to achieve expected
weight
o nutritional deficiency
o dependence on enteral feedings or nutritional
supplements, or marked interference with psychosocial
functioning.
It may take the form of outright food refusal, food selectivity,
eating too little, food avoidance, and delayed self-feeding.
Infants and children with the disorder may be withdrawn,
irritable, apathetic, or anxious.
Because of the avoidant behavior during feeding, touching and
holding between mothers and infants are diminished during the
entire feeding process compared with other children.
Some reports suggest that food avoidance or restriction may be
relatively long-standing; however, in many cases, normal adult
functioning is eventually achieved.