‘Fussy eating' or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder?‘Fussy eating' or avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder?

Avoidance/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a recently identified mental health condition that describes challenges in eating behaviours that means a person's energy or nutritional needs are not met. Characterised by weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, the need for food supplements and other health problems, little is known about the aetiology, epidemiology and treatment of ARFID. Increasing awareness in the dental team of ARFID as a recognised eating disorder is important to support prevention and clinical treatment for those already diagnosed with the condition, and to recognise and identify ARFID so that appropriate medical, psychological, nutritional and social support can be recommended in those unaware of the disorder. As a relatively recently identified medical condition, the impact of ARFID on the general oral health at this present time also requires further elucidation.