Latent profile analysis reveals overlapping ARFID and shape/weight motivations for restriction in eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: DSM-5 differentiates avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) from other eating disorders (EDs) by a lack of overvaluation of body weight/shape driving restrictive eating. However, clinical observations and research demonstrate ARFID and shape/weight motivations sometimes co-occur. To inform classification, we: (1) derived profiles underlying restriction motivation and examined their validity and (2) described diagnostic characterizations of individuals in each profile to explore whether findings support current diagnostic schemes. We expected, consistent with DSM-5, that profiles would comprise individuals endorsing solely ARFID or restraint (i.e. trying to eat less to control shape/weight) motivations. METHODS: We applied latent profile analysis to 202 treatment-seeking individuals (ages 10-79 years [M = 26, s.d. = 14], 76% female) with ARFID or a non-ARFID ED, using the Nine-Item ARFID Screen (Picky, Appetite, and Fear subscales) and the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire Restraint subscale as indicators. RESULTS: A 5-profile solution emerged: Restraint/ARFID-Mixed (n = 24; 8% [n = 2] with ARFID diagnosis); ARFID-2 (with Picky/Appetite; n = 56; 82% ARFID); ARFID-3 (with Picky/Appetite/Fear; n = 40; 68% ARFID); Restraint (n = 45; 11% ARFID); and Non-Endorsers (n = 37; 2% ARFID). Two profiles comprised individuals endorsing solely ARFID motivations (ARFID-2, ARFID-3) and one comprising solely restraint motivations (Restraint), consistent with DSM-5. However, Restraint/ARFID-Mixed (92% non-ARFID ED diagnoses, comprising 18% of those with non-ARFID ED diagnoses in the full sample) endorsed ARFID and restraint motivations. CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneous profiles identified suggest ARFID and restraint motivations for dietary restriction may overlap somewhat and that individuals with non-ARFID EDs can also endorse high ARFID symptoms. Future research should clarify diagnostic boundaries between ARFID and non-ARFID EDs.

Lower region-specific gray matter volume in females with atypical anorexia nervosa and anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Few studies have focused on brain structure in atypical anorexia nervosa (atypical AN). This study investigates differences in gray matter volume (GMV) between females with anorexia nervosa (AN) and atypical AN, and healthy controls (HC). METHOD: Structural magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired for 37 AN, 23 atypical AN, and 41 HC female participants. Freesurfer was used to extract GMV, cortical thickness, and surface area for six brain lobes and associated cortical regions of interest (ROI). Primary analyses employed linear mixed-effects models to compare group differences in lobar GMV, followed by secondary analyses on ROIs within significant lobes. We also explored relationships between cortical gray matter and both body mass index (BMI) and symptom severity. RESULTS: Our primary analyses revealed significant lower GMV in frontal, temporal and parietal areas (FDR < .05) in AN and atypical AN when compared to HC. Lobar GMV comparisons were non-significant between atypical AN and AN. The parietal lobe exhibited the greatest proportion of affected cortical ROIs in both AN versus HC and atypical AN versus HC. BMI, but not symptom severity, was found to be associated with cortical GMV in the parietal, frontal, temporal, and cingulate lobes. No significant differences were observed in cortical thickness or surface area. DISCUSSION: We observed lower GMV in frontal, temporal, and parietal areas, when compared to HC, but no differences between AN and atypical AN. This indicates potentially overlapping structural phenotypes between these disorders and evidence of brain changes among those who are not below the clinical underweight threshold. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Despite individuals with atypical anorexia nervosa presenting above the clinical weight threshold, lower cortical gray matter volume was observed in partial, temporal, and frontal cortices, compared to healthy individuals. No significant differences were found in cortical gray matter volume between anorexia nervosa and atypical anorexia nervosa. This underscores the importance of continuing to assess and target weight gain in clinical care, even for those who are presenting above the low-weight clinical criteria.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: A proof-of-concept for mechanisms of change and target engagement.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive-behavioral therapy for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID; CBT-AR) theoretically targets three prototypic motivations (sensory sensitivity, lack of interest/low appetite, fear of aversive consequences), aligned with three modularized interventions. As an exploratory investigation, we: (1) evaluated change in candidate mechanisms in relationship to change in ARFID severity, and (2) tested if assignment (vs. not) to a module resulted in larger improvements in the corresponding mechanism. METHOD: Males and females (N = 42; 10-55 years) participated in an open trial of CBT-AR. RESULTS: Decreases in scaled scores for each candidate mechanism had medium to large correlations with decreases in ARFID severity-sensory sensitivity: -0.7 decrease (r = .42, p = .01); lack of interest/low appetite: -0.3 decrease (r = .60, p < .0001); and fear of aversive consequences: -1.1 decrease (r = .33, p = .05). Linear mixed models revealed significant weekly improvements for each candidate mechanism across the full sample (ps < .0001). There were significant interactions for the sensory and fear of aversive consequences modules-for each, participants who received the corresponding module had significantly larger decreases in the candidate mechanism than those who did not receive the module. DISCUSSION: Sensory sensitivity and fear of aversive consequences improved more if the CBT-AR module was received, but lack of interest/low appetite may improve regardless of receipt of the corresponding module. Future research is needed to test target engagement in CBT-AR with adaptive treatment designs, and to identify valid and sensitive measures of candidate mechanisms. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: The mechanisms through which components of CBT-AR work have yet to be elucidated. We conducted an exploratory investigation to test if assignment (vs. not) to a CBT-AR module resulted in larger improvements in the corresponding prototypic ARFID motivation that the module intended to target. Measures of the sensory sensitivity and the fear of aversive consequences motivations improved more in those who received the corresponding treatment module, whereas the lack of interest/low appetite measure improved regardless of if the corresponding module was received.

Medical Comorbidities, Nutritional Markers, and Cardiovascular Risk Markers in Youth With ARFID.

OBJECTIVE: Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is common among populations with nutrition-related medical conditions. Less is known about the medical comorbidity/complication frequencies in youth with ARFID. We evaluated the medical comorbidities and metabolic/nutritional markers among female and male youth with full/subthreshold ARFID across the weight spectrum compared with healthy controls (HC). METHOD: In youth with full/subthreshold ARFID (n = 100; 49% female) and HC (n = 58; 78% female), we assessed self-reported medical comorbidities via clinician interview and explored abnormalities in metabolic (lipid panel and high-sensitive C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) and nutritional (25[OH] vitamin D, vitamin B12, and folate) markers. RESULTS: Youth with ARFID, compared with HC, were over 10 times as likely to have self-reported gastrointestinal conditions (37% vs. 3%; OR = 21.2; 95% CI = 6.2-112.1) and over two times as likely to have self-reported immune-mediated conditions (42% vs. 24%; OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 1.1-4.9). ARFID, compared with HC, had a four to five times higher frequency of elevated triglycerides (28% vs. 12%; OR = 4.0; 95% CI = 1.7-10.5) and hs-CRP (17% vs. 4%; OR = 5.0; 95% CI = 1.4-27.0) levels. DISCUSSION: Self-reported gastrointestinal and certain immune comorbidities were common in ARFID, suggestive of possible bidirectional risk/maintenance factors. Elevated cardiovascular risk markers in ARFID may be a consequence of limited dietary variety marked by high carbohydrate and sugar intake.

Development of a brief cognitive-behavioral treatment for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in the context of disorders of gut-brain interaction: Initial feasibility, acceptability, and clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) symptoms are common (up to 40%) among adults with disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), but treatments for this population (DGBI + ARFID) have yet to be evaluated. We aimed to identify initial feasibility, acceptability, and clinical effects of an exposure-based cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) for adults with DGBI + ARFID. METHODS: Patients (N = 14) received CBT as part of routine care in an outpatient gastroenterology clinic. A two-part investigation of the CBT included a retrospective evaluation of patients who were offered a flexible (8-10) session length and an observational prospective study of patients who were offered eight sessions. Feasibility benchmarks were ≥75% completion of sessions, quantitative measures (for treatment completers), and qualitative interviews. Acceptability was assessed with a benchmark of ≥70% patients reporting a posttreatment satisfaction scores ≥3 on 1-4 scale and with posttreatment qualitative interviews. Mixed model analysis explored signals of improvement in clinical outcomes. RESULTS: All feasibility and acceptability benchmarks were achieved (and qualitative feedback revealed high satisfaction with the treatment and outcomes). There were improvements in clinical outcomes across treatment (all p's < .0001) with large effects for ARFID fear (-52%; Hedge's g = 1.5; 95% CI = 0.6, 2.5) and gastrointestinal-specific anxiety (-42%; Hedge's g = 1.0; 95% CI = 0.5, 16). Among those who needed to gain weight (n = 10), 94%-103% of expected weight gain goals were achieved. DISCUSSION: Initial development and testing of a brief 8-session CBT protocol for DGBI + ARFID showed high feasibility, acceptability, and promising clinical improvements. Findings will inform an NIH Stage 1B randomized control trial. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: While cognitive-behavioral treatments (CBTs) for ARFID have been created in outpatient feeding and eating disorder clinics, they have yet to be developed and refined for other clinic settings or populations. In line with the recommendations for behavioral treatment development, we conducted a two-part investigation of an exposure-based CBT for a patient population with high rates of ARFID-adults with disorders of gut-brain interaction (also known as functional gastrointestinal disorders). We found patients had high satisfaction with treatment and there were promising improvements for both gastrointestinal and ARFID outcomes. The refined treatment includes eight sessions delivered by a behavioral health care provider and the findings reported in this article will be studied next in an NIH Stage 1B randomized controlled trial.

Food neophobia as a mechanism of change in video-delivered cognitive-behavioral therapy for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: A case study.

OBJECTIVE: The mechanisms through which cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) may work have yet to be elucidated. To inform future treatment revisions to increase parsimony and potency of CBT for ARFID (CBT-AR), we evaluated change in food neophobia during CBT-AR treatment of a sensory sensitivity ARFID presentation via a single case study. METHOD: An adolescent male completed 21, twice-weekly sessions of CBT-AR via live video delivery. From pre- to mid- to post-treatment and at 2-month follow-up, we calculated percent change in food neophobia and ARFID symptom severity measures. Via visual inspection, we explored trajectories of week-by-week food neophobia in relation to clinical improvements (e.g., when the patient incorporated foods into daily life). RESULTS: By post-treatment, the patient achieved reductions across food neophobia (45%), and ARFID severity (53-57%) measures and no longer met criteria for ARFID, with sustained improvement at 2-month follow-up. Via visual inspection of week-by-week food neophobia trajectories, we identified that decreases occurred after mid-treatment and were associated with incorporation of a food directly tied to the patient's main treatment motivation. DISCUSSION: This study provides hypothesis-generating findings on candidate CBT-AR mechanisms, showing that changes in food neophobia were related to food exposures most connected to the patient's treatment motivations. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Cognitive-behavioral therapies (CBTs) can be effective for treating avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). However, we do not yet have evidence to show how they work. This report of a single patient shows that willingness to try new foods (i.e., food neophobia), changed the most when the patient experienced a clinical improvement most relevant to his motivation for seeking treatment.

The factor structure and validity of a diagnostic interview for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in a sample of children, adolescents, and young adults.

OBJECTIVE: There is a paucity of validated diagnostic interviews for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) to aid identification and classification of cases for both clinical and research purposes. To evaluate the factor structure, construct validity, and criterion validity of the Pica ARFID and Rumination Disorder Interview (PARDI; ARFID module), we administered the PARDI to 129 children and adolescents ages 9-23 years (M = 16.1) with ARFID (n = 84), subclinical ARFID (n = 11), and healthy controls (n = 34). METHOD: We used exploratory factor analysis to examine the factor structure of the PARDI in children, adolescents, and young adults with an ARFID diagnosis, the Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance and Spearman correlations to test the construct validity of the measure, and non-parametric receiver operating characteristic curves to evaluate the criterion validity of the PARDI. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis yielded a 3-factor structure: (1) concern about aversive consequences of eating, (2) low appetite/low interest in food, and (3) sensory sensitivity. Participants with ARFID demonstrated significantly higher levels of sensory sensitivity, low appetite/low-food interest, and concern about aversive consequences of eating symptoms relative to control participants. The construct validity for each PARDI subscale was supported and clinical cutoffs for the low appetite/low interest in food (1.1) and sensory sensitivity subscales (0.6) were established. DISCUSSION: These data present evidence for the factor structure and validity of the PARDI diagnostic interview for diagnosing ARFID in children, adolescents, and young adults, supporting the use of this tool to facilitate ARFID clinical assessment and research. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Due to the paucity of validated diagnostic interviews for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), we evaluated the factor structure and validity of the Pica ARFID and Rumination Disorder Interview (ARFID module). Findings suggest that the interview assesses 3 components of ARFID: concern about aversive consequences of eating, low-appetite, and sensory sensitivity, and that clinical threshold scores on the latter two subscales can be used to advance ARFID assessment.

Differential comorbidity profiles in avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and anorexia nervosa: Does age play a role?

OBJECTIVE: Research comparing psychiatric comorbidities between individuals with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and anorexia nervosa (AN) is limited. ARFID often develops in childhood, whereas AN typically develops in adolescence or young adulthood. Understanding how age may impact differential psychological comorbidity profiles is important to inform etiological conceptualization, differential diagnosis, and treatment planning. We aimed to compare the lifetime frequency of psychiatric comorbidities and suicidality between females with ARFID (n = 51) and AN (n = 40), investigating the role of age as a covariate. METHOD: We used structured interviews to assess the comparative frequency of psychiatric comorbidities/suicidality. RESULTS: When age was omitted from analyses, females with ARFID had a lower frequency of depressive disorders and suicidality compared to AN. Adjusting for age, only suicidality differed between groups. DISCUSSION: This is the first study to compare comorbidities in a similar number of individuals with ARFID and AN, and a structured clinical interview to confer ARFID and comorbidities, covarying for age, and the first to compare suicidality. Although suicidality is at least three times less common in ARFID than AN, observed differences in other psychiatric comorbidities may reflect ARFID's relatively younger age of presentation compared to AN. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Our results highlight that, with the exception of suicidality, which was three times less common in ARFID than AN irrespective of age, observed differences in psychiatric comorbidities in clinical practice may reflect ARFID's younger age at clinical presentation compared to AN.

Neurobiology of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder in Youth with Overweight/Obesity Versus Healthy Weight.

OBJECTIVE: Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) occurs across the weight spectrum, however research addressing the coexistesnce of ARFID with overweight/obesity (OV/OB) is lacking. We aimed to establish co-occurrence of OV/OB and ARFID and to characterize divergent neurobiological features of ARFID by weight. METHOD: Youth with full/subthreshold ARFID (12 with healthy weight [HW], 11 with OV/OB) underwent fasting brain fMRI scan while viewing food/non-food images (M age = 16.92 years, 65% female, 87% white). We compared groups on BOLD response to high-calorie foods (HCF) (vs. objects) in food cue processing regions of interest. Following fMRI scanning, we evaluated subjective hunger pre- vs. post-meal. We used a mediation model to explore the association between BMI, brain activation, and hunger. RESULTS: Participants with ARFID and OV/OB demonstrated significant hyperactivation in response to HCF (vs. objects) in the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and anterior insula compared with HW participants with ARFID. Mediation analysis yielded a significant indirect effect of group (HW vs. OV/OB) on hunger via OFC activation (effect = 18.39, SE = 11.27, 95% CI [-45.09, -3.00]), suggesting that OFC activation mediates differences in hunger between ARFID participants with HW and OV/OB. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to youth with ARFID and HW, those with OV/OB demonstrate hyperactivation of brain areas critical for the reward value of food cues. Postprandial changes in subjective hunger depend on BMI and are mediated by OFC activation to food cues. Whether these neurobiological differences contribute to selective hyperphagia in ARFID presenting with OV/OB and represent potential treatment targets is an important area for future investigation.

Validation of the nine item ARFID screen (NIAS) subscales for distinguishing ARFID presentations and screening for ARFID.

OBJECTIVE: The Nine Item Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Screen (NIAS) has three subscales aligned with ARFID presentations but clinically validated cutoff scores have not been identified. We aimed to examine NIAS subscale (picky eating, appetite, fear) validity to: (1) capture clinically-diagnosed ARFID presentations; (2) differentiate ARFID from other eating disorders (other-ED); and (3) capture ARFID symptoms among individuals with ARFID, individuals with other-ED, and nonclinical participants. METHOD: Participants included outpatients (ages 10-76 years; 75% female) diagnosed with ARFID (n = 49) or other-ED (n = 77), and nonclinical participants (ages 22-68 years; 38% female, n = 40). We evaluated criterion-related concurrent validity by conducting receiver operating curve (ROC) analyses to identify potential subscale cutoffs and by testing if cutoffs could capture ARFID with and without use of the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q). RESULTS: Each NIAS subscale had high AUC for capturing those who fit versus do not fit each ARFID presentation, resulting in proposed cutoffs of ≥10 (sensitivity = .97, specificity = .63), ≥9 (sensitivity = .86, specificity = .70), and ≥ 10 (sensitivity = .68, specificity = .89) on the NIAS-picky eating, NIAS-appetite, and NIAS-fear subscales, respectively. ARFID versus other-ED had high AUC on the NIAS-picky eating (≥10 proposed cutoff), but not NIAS-appetite or NIAS-fear subscales. NIAS subscale cutoffs had a high association with ARFID diagnosis, but only correctly classified other-ED in combination with EDE-Q Global <2.3. DISCUSSION: To screen for ARFID, we recommend using a screening tool for other-ED (e.g., EDE-Q) in combination with a positive score on any NIAS subscale (i.e., ≥10, ≥9, and/or ≥10 on the NIAS-picky eating, NIAS-appetite, and NIAS-fear subscales, respectively).

Disorders of gut-brain interaction common among outpatients with eating disorders including avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Little research exists on Rome IV disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI; formerly called functional gastrointestinal disorders) in outpatients with eating disorders (EDs). These data are particularly lacking for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), which shares core features with DGBI. We aimed to identify the frequency and nature of DGBI symptoms among outpatients with EDs. METHOD: Consecutively referred pediatric and adult patients diagnosed with an ED (n = 168, 71% female, ages 8-76 years) in our tertiary care ED program between March 2017 and July 2019 completed a modified Rome IV Questionnaire for DGBI and psychopathology measure battery. RESULTS: The majority (n = 122, 72%) of participants reported at least one bothersome gastrointestinal symptom. Sixty-six (39%) met criteria for a DBGI, most frequently functional dyspepsia-post-prandial distress syndrome subtype (31%). DGBI were surprisingly less frequent among patients with ARFID (30%) versus EDs that are associated with shape or weight concerns (45%; X2 [1] = 3.61, p = .058, Cramer's V = .147). Among those with ARFID, DGBI presence was associated with the fear of aversive consequences prototype and multiple comorbid prototype presence. DISCUSSION: We demonstrated notable overlap between DGBI and EDs, particularly post-prandial distress symptoms. Further research is needed to examine if gastrointestinal symptoms predict or are a result of greater ED pathology, including ARFID prototypes.

Network Analysis of Posttraumatic Stress and Eating Disorder Symptoms in a Community Sample of Adults Exposed to Childhood Abuse.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and eating disorders (EDs) are individually debilitating and highly comorbid conditions. Childhood abuse is a prominent risk factor for PTSD and ED symptoms both individually and as a comorbid syndrome (PTSD-ED). There may be a functional association between comorbid PTSD-ED symptoms whereby disordered eating behaviors are used to avoid trauma-related thoughts and feelings. The current study used a network analytic approach to examine key associations between PTSD and ED symptom subscales (i.e., PCL-5 and EPSI, respectively) in a community sample of 120 adults who endorsed at least one experience of childhood abuse (i.e., physical, sexual, or emotional abuse; witnessing domestic violence). Participants completed an anonymous online survey using Amazon's Mechanical Turk Prime. We used three network analysis indices (i.e., strength centrality, key players, and bridge symptoms) to identify symptoms that may maintain the comorbid PTSD-ED network. The results indicated that reexperiencing symptoms had the highest strength centrality in the PTSD-ED network and bridged the PTSD and ED clusters. For ED, cognitive restraint was a bridge to all PTSD symptoms. Hyperarousal, negative alterations in cognitions and mood (NACM), and purging were key players, indicating they are integral to the network structure. If replicated in prospective studies, these results may indicate that reexperiencing and cognitive restraint are core drivers of PTSD-ED comorbidity, whereas hyperarousal, NACM, and purging may be downstream consequences maintaining the comorbid condition. Concurrent treatments that address PTSD and ED symptoms simultaneously may result in the best outcomes.

Cognitive rigidity and heightened attention to detail occur transdiagnostically in adolescents with eating disorders.

Cognitive inflexibility and attention to detail bias represent a promising target in eating disorder (ED) treatment. While prior research has found that adults with eating disorders exhibit significant cognitive inflexibility and heightened attention to detail, less is known about these cognitive impairments among adolescents, and across EDs transdiagnostically. To address this gap, adolescent females (N = 143) from a residential ED program with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or other specified feeding or eating disorder completed the Detail and Flexibility Questionnaire (DFlex) and measures of ED and general psychopathology. Transdiagnostically, adolescents with EDs scored higher than an archival sample of healthy control adolescents on both cognitive rigidity (p < .001; Cohen's d = 1.92) and attention to detail (p < .001; Cohen's d = 1.16). These cognitive impairments were significantly associated with severity of eating pathology, and these relationships existed independent of age, duration of illness, or body mass index (BMI). Our findings suggest cognitive inflexibility and heightened attention to detail occur transdiagnostically in adolescents with eating disorders and are unlikely to be a scar of the disorder. Future prospective research is needed to determine whether these cognitive styles represent an endophenotype of eating disorders.

Behavioral inhibition moderates the association between overvaluation of shape and weight and noncompensatory purging in eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: The cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) model of eating disorders suggests that compensatory purging behaviors (e.g., self-induced vomiting, inappropriate laxative use) are primarily driven by binge eating. However, many individuals endorse purging in the absence of binge eating (i.e., noncompensatory purging [NCP]). Research is needed to understand why some individuals purge in the absence of objective or subjective binge-eating episodes. METHOD: Given the importance of overvaluation of shape/weight in the CBT model, and the existing evidence linking temperamental characteristics like behavioral inhibition (i.e., the tendency to withdraw in response to threat cues) with purging in general, we tested whether behavioral inhibition moderated the relationship between overvaluation of shape/weight and NCP in a sample of individuals in a residential eating disorder treatment center (N = 143). RESULTS: Overvaluation was more strongly related to NCP in individuals with high (relative to low) levels of behavioral inhibition. Among individuals low in behavioral inhibition, overvaluation predicted engagement in NCP to a much weaker extent. DISCUSSION: For those high (relative to low) in behavioral inhibition, both emotional avoidance and overvaluation may be important targets in the treatment of NCP, particularly in the absence of binge eating.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: Feasibility, acceptability, and proof-of-concept for children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about the optimal treatment of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). The purpose of this study was to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and proof-of-concept for cognitive-behavioral therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR) in children and adolescents. METHOD: Males and females (ages 10-17 years) were offered 20-30 sessions of CBT-AR delivered in a family-based or individual format. RESULTS: Of 25 eligible individuals, 20 initiated treatment, including 17 completers and 3 dropouts. Using intent-to-treat analyses, clinicians rated 17 patients (85%) as "much improved" or "very much improved." ARFID severity scores (on the Pica, ARFID, and Rumination Disorder Interview) significantly decreased per both patient and parent report. Patients incorporated a mean of 16.7 (SD = 12.1) new foods from pre- to post-treatment. The underweight subgroup showed a significant weight gain of 11.5 (SD = 6.0) pounds, moving from the 10th to the 20th percentile for body mass index. At post-treatment, 70% of patients no longer met criteria for ARFID. DISCUSSION: This is the first study of an outpatient manualized psychosocial treatment for ARFID in older adolescents. Findings provide evidence of feasibility, acceptability, and proof-of-concept for CBT-AR. Randomized controlled trials are needed.

Restrictive eating, but not binge eating or purging, predicts suicidal ideation in adolescents and young adults with low-weight eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the relationship between eating-disorder behaviors-including restrictive eating, binge eating, and purging-and suicidal ideation. We hypothesized that restrictive eating would significantly predict suicidal ideation, beyond the effects of binge eating/purging. METHODS: Participants were 82 adolescents and young adults with low-weight eating disorders. We conducted a hierarchical logistic regression, with binge eating and purging in Step 1 and restrictive eating in Step 2, to predict suicidal ideation. RESULTS: Step 1 was significant (p = .01) and explained 20% variance in suicidal ideation; neither binge eating nor purging significantly predicted suicidal ideation. Adding restrictive eating in Step 2 significantly improved the model (ΔR2 = .07, p = .009). This final model explained 27% of the variance, and restrictive eating (but not binge eating/purging) significantly predicted suicidal ideation (p = .02). DISCUSSION: Restrictive eating is associated with suicidal ideation in youth with low-weight eating disorders, beyond the effects of other eating-disorder behaviors. Although healthcare providers may be more likely to screen for suicidality in patients with binge eating and purging, our findings indicate clinicians should regularly assess suicide and self-injury in patients with restrictive eating. Future research examining how individuals progress from suicidal ideation to suicidal attempts can further enhance our understanding of suicide in eating disorders.

Prevalence and correlates of psychiatric comorbidities in children and adolescents with full and subthreshold avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to characterize the current and lifetime prevalence of comorbid psychiatric diagnoses and suicidality in treatment- and nontreatment-seeking individuals with full and subthreshold avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). We also sought to examine unique associations between the three DSM-5 ARFID profiles (i.e., sensory sensitivity, fear of aversive consequences, and lack of interest in food or eating) and specific categories of psychiatric diagnoses and suicidality. METHOD: We conducted structured clinical interviews with 74 children and adolescents with full or sub threshold ARFID to assess the presence of comorbid psychiatric diagnoses, suicidality, and the severity of each of the three ARFID profiles. RESULTS: Nearly half of the sample (45%) met criteria for a current comorbid psychiatric diagnosis, and over half (53%) met criteria for a lifetime comorbid diagnosis. A total of 8% endorsed current suicidality and 14% endorsed lifetime suicidality. Severity in the sensory sensitivity profile was uniquely associated with greater odds of comorbid disorders in the neurodevelopmental, disruptive, and conduct disorders category; the anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and trauma-related disorders category; and the depressive and bipolar-related disorders category. Severity in the fear of aversive consequences profile was associated with greater odds of disorders in the anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, and trauma-related disorders category. DISCUSSION: Our findings underscore the severity of psychopathology among individuals with ARFID and related presentations, and also highlight the potential that shared psychopathology between specific ARFID profiles and other psychiatric disorders represent transdiagnostic constructs (e.g., avoidant behavior) that may be relevant treatment targets.

Impact of expanded diagnostic criteria for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder on clinical comparisons with anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and anorexia nervosa (AN) are restrictive eating disorders. There is a proposal before the American Psychiatric Association to broaden the current DSM-5 criteria for ARFID, which currently require dietary intake that is inadequate to support energy or nutritional needs. We compared the clinical presentations of ARFID and AN in an outpatient sample to determine how a more inclusive definition of ARFID, heterogeneous for age and weight status, is distinct from AN. METHODS: As part of standard care, 138 individuals with AN or ARFID completed an online assessment battery and agreed to include their responses in research. RESULTS: Individuals with ARFID were younger, reported earlier age of onset, and had higher percent median BMI (%mBMI) than those with AN (all ps < .001). Individuals with ARFID scored lower on measures of eating pathology, depression, anxiety, and clinical impairment (all ps < .05), but did not differ from those with AN on restrictive eating (p = .52), and scored higher on food neophobia (p < .001). DISCUSSION: Allowing psychosocial impairment to be sufficient for an ARFID diagnosis resulted in a clinical picture of ARFID such that %mBMI was higher (and in the normal range) compared with AN. Differences in gender distribution, age, and age of onset remained consistent with previous research. Both groups reported similar levels of dietary restriction, although ARFID can be distinguished by relatively higher levels of food neophobia. Currently available measures of eating pathology may capture certain ARFID symptoms, but highlight the need for measures of impairment relative to ARFID.

Implicit attitudes toward dieting and thinness distinguish fat-phobic and non-fat-phobic anorexia nervosa from avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The majority of individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) have a fat-phobic (FP-AN) presentation in which they explicitly endorse fear of weight gain, but a minority present as non-fat-phobic (NFP-AN). Diagnostic criteria for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) specifically exclude fear of weight gain. Differential diagnosis between NFP-AN and ARFID can be challenging and explicit endorsements do not necessarily match internal beliefs. METHOD: Ninety-four adolescent females (39 FP-AN, 13 NFP-AN, 10 low-weight ARFID, 32 healthy controls [HC]) completed implicit association tests (IATs) categorizing statements as pro-dieting or non-dieting and true or false (questionnaire-based IAT), and images of female models as underweight or normal-weight and words as positive or negative (picture-based IAT). We used the Eating Disorder Examination to categorize FP- versus NFP-AN presentations. RESULTS: Individuals with FP-AN and NFP-AN demonstrated a stronger association between pro-dieting and true statements, whereas those with ARFID and HCs demonstrated a stronger association between pro-dieting and false statements. Furthermore, while all groups demonstrated a negative implicit association with underweight models, HC participants had a significantly stronger negative association than individuals with FP-AN and NFP-AN. DISCUSSION: Individuals with NFP-AN exhibited a mixed pattern in which some of their implicit associations were consistent with their explicit endorsements, whereas others were not, possibly reflecting a minimizing response style on explicit measures. In contrast, individuals with ARFID demonstrated implicit associations consistent with explicit endorsements. Replication studies are needed to confirm whether the questionnaire-based IAT is a promising method of differentiating between restrictive eating disorders that share similar clinical characteristics.

Radcliffe ARFID Workgroup: Toward operationalization of research diagnostic criteria and directions for the field.

OBJECTIVE: Since its introduction to the psychiatric nomenclature in 2013, research on avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) has proliferated highlighting lack of clarity in how ARFID is defined. METHOD: In September 2018, a small multi-disciplinary pool of international experts in feeding disorder and eating disorder clinical practice and research convened as the Radcliffe ARFID workgroup to consider operationalization of DSM-5 ARFID diagnostic criteria to guide research in this disorder. RESULTS: By consensus of the Radcliffe ARFID workgroup, ARFID eating is characterized by food avoidance and/or restriction, involving limited volume and/or variety associated with one or more of the following: weight loss or faltering growth (e.g., defined as in anorexia nervosa, or by crossing weight/growth percentiles); nutritional deficiencies (defined by laboratory assay or dietary recall); dependence on tube feeding or nutritional supplements (≥50% of daily caloric intake or any tube feeding not required by a concurrent medical condition); and/or psychosocial impairment. CONCLUSIONS: This article offers definitions on how best to operationalize ARFID criteria and assessment thereof to be tested in existing clinical populations and to guide future study to advance understanding and treatment of this heterogeneous disorder.