Advancing the Science of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): Six Key Questions

Abstract

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) has rapidly emerged as a substantial focus of research and clinical attention since its introduction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders—Fifth Edition (DSM-5). This special issue brings together over 30 articles that answer six of the field's most compelling current research questions about ARFID. Specifically, key contributions explore: (1) whether the diagnostic criteria for ARFID should be revised; (2) how well our current self-report measures assess ARFID symptoms; (3) candidate psychological mechanisms that may maintain ARFID symptoms; (4) whether common medical comorbidities may provide clues to etiology; (5) how close we are to identifying evidence-based treatments; and (6) how cultural context may shape ARFID phenotypic presentation. A critical gap remains in understanding ARFID across diverse cultural contexts, with most research still centered in North America and Europe. Expanding global research and refining transdiagnostic and personalized treatment approaches—including combining existing interventions into a comprehensive model of stepped or adaptive care—will be essential next steps in the field. In sum, this issue reflects the rapid evolution of ARFID research and lays the groundwork for future advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and intervention.