Health is paramount. Especially when it comes to our children, we always want to ensure they are healthy and thriving in every way. What would we do to deal with an issue whose existence is unknown to us? ARFID is one such issue that needs to be addressed.
ARFID: The Disorder That Needs Awareness
Do you ever feel repulsed by certain foods? Is your child adamant about not eating a particular dish? The simple symptoms can easily go unnoticed but are the root cause of something much more severe. This condition is called ARFID. It stands for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder.
Doctors across the city discussed this widespread yet poorly understood ailment in honour of “Eating Disorders Awareness Week.”
Dr Anjum Dayal, senior consultant paediatric intensivist at Ankura Hospital, has treated about 200 patients with the syndrome in just two and a half years. The condition is currently getting worse. Due to different factors, such as a lack of interest in food and avoidance of specific sensory qualities, ARFID is a behaviour disorder that is characterised by failure to achieve the minimum daily nutritional requirements.
It Affects Children And Adults Alike
Children between the ages of four and five are most commonly affected by ARFID. The doctor has also clarified that ARFID must not be confused with anorexia or any other eating disorder. While anorexia is more prominent in girls, ARFID is statistically more common in boys.
It primarily develops in little kids but goes away in late teens or adulthood.
Another team of doctors has brought to light that this disorder is not like other eating disorders where people are afraid of eating food or refrain from it to avoid gaining weight. But, of course, the deliberate reluctance to eat certain foods can eventually lead to prominent weight loss. This can also impact children’s ability to gain weight. While some of the side effects can be quick, others can take longer. These dietary deficiencies can have a negative impact on a person’s health in the long term.
The doctors have also stressed that all those feeling these symptoms should take it very seriously. They revealed that this condition is more common in wealthy families as compared to lower or middle-class families.
Therapy can be used as a crurative measure for these conditions.
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