Investigating ARFID
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the Causes and Consequences of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)
IRAS ID
291286
Contact name
Rachel Bryant-Waugh
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, or ARFID, is an eating disorder where people severely restrict the type and/or amount of food eaten. Unlike other eating disorders, like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, ARFID does not typically involve body weight or image concerns or a desire to be thin. Instead, food refusal in ARFID can be linked to a whole host of things, from sensory problems to fears of swallowing or choking.
We know that ARFID is a serious issue which can result in weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, difficulties with socialising and much more. But so far, there is no research which has looked at what it means to live with ARFID. We are interested in exploring the first-hand experiences of those with a current diagnosis of ARFID.
We hope that this will help us to get a better understanding of how ARFID develops and persists and the impact that such feeding or eating difficulties have on the individual and their family. We hope that this study will contribute to research into ARFID, inform clinical practice and improve treatment.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0072
Date of REC Opinion
4 May 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion