ARFID is a new but dangerous eating disorder that affects mostly children; however, ARFID is becoming increasingly common among adults, especially with the popularity of trendy diets that eliminate food groups from the diet. With ARFID, people significantly limit the amount and kind of food they eat. Most people suffering from ARFID are selective eaters and have little or no interest in food. This often leads to malnourishment and poor growth, which can affect development and general health.

ARFID often starts in childhood, although it can affect adults. Picky eating due to dieting can lead to ARFID in adults. In childhood, ARFID is seen more in boys than girls. In adulthood, more women than men suffer from ARFID. Young people with ARFID are often selective eaters who have negative reactions to smells, tastes, texture, or colors of certain foods; afraid of trying new foods; have no interest in eating; have no appetite; deny feeling hunger; or are afraid that they might feel pain, choke, or vomit if they were to eat.

Some symptoms of ARFID include being underweight, skipping meals, limiting portions, missed periods, anxiety, poor growth, delayed puberty, dehydration, slow pulse, weak bones, hair loss, dizziness, and fainting. ARFID differs from other eating disorders in that body image and body weight concerns are usually not of importance to the individual. However, adults who suffer from ARFID generally have a lower quality of life, mood swings, and are more hypersensitive about their weight and body image.

Other Types of eating disorders include:

Diabulimia: Diabulimia, also known as Type 1 diabetes with disordered eating (T1DE), is a serious ED that can be developed by Type 1 diabetic patients. In diabulimia, the affected person reduces or stops taking their insulin with the goal of losing weight. They can also restrict the food they eat, over-exercise, or use laxatives to try to control weight. 

Although diabulimia is not an official medical diagnosis, it is estimated that up to 30% of people with Type 1 diabetes have an eating disorder. In fact, eating disorders are twice as likely to occur in people with Type 1 diabetes than people without. When your body does not get enough insulin, blood sugar levels remain elevated, and this can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be dangerous and fatal. Insufficient insulin can also lead to kidney damage, loss of eyesight, and nerve issues, especially in your feet.

Some symptoms of diabulimia include unexplained weight loss, high blood sugar, extreme tiredness, frequent urination, excessive thirst, blurry vision, dry hair and skin, nausea/vomiting, discomfort testing blood sugar in front of others, discomfort administering insulin in the presence of others, secrecy about diabetes management, missed insulin prescription refills, neglect of diabetes management, anxiety about body image, depression, and mood swings.

Other Specific Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED): OSFED, which was previously known as Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), is diagnosed when someone has an ED of clinical severity that doesn’t meet all of the diagnostic criteria to be diagnosed with specific eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge eating. Most eating disorders are OSFED, as many eating disorders do not meet 100% of the criteria to be assigned a specific diagnosis. OSFED/EDNOS is equally as serious as other specific eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia.

Physical Consequences of Eating Disorders: Eating disorders threaten physical and mental health and have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Up to 10% of people with anorexia will die within ten years of contracting the disease. A whopping 20% will die after 20 years, and only about 30-40% of people ever recover.

Eating disorders also affect the body physically. For instance, eating disorders can lead to a variety of gastrointestinal problems. People who regularly purge by vomiting are at an increased risk of ruptures in the esophagus, a life-threatening situation. They are also prone to sore throats and a hoarse voice. Other gastrointestinal complications include inflammation in the pancreas (pancreatitis), constipation, intestinal obstructions, and intestinal infections. Binge eating can cause the stomach to rupture, and this can be fatal.