Programmes to manage food selectivity in individuals with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by impaired social communication and restricted interests/repetitive behaviours. In this regard, sensory processing difficulties and delayed oral motor skills often predispose individuals with ASD to food selectivity (FS). It is usually associated with repetitive eating patterns that can lead to multiple malnutrition conditions. The objective of this narrative review is to present an overview about the existing nutritional interventions aiming at promoting a healthy eating pattern and addressing food selectivity among individuals with ASD. Regarding the interventions targeting nutrition education, the majority of the analysed studies failed to demonstrate their effectiveness. On the other hand, many educational interventions involving taste or cooking sessions, as well as behavioural interventions for FS, demonstrated effective results. Moreover, multidisciplinary in tailoring such programmes, including psychology speech therapy and nutritional skills, is acknowledged as a key approach.

ARFID Genes and Environment (ARFID-GEN): study protocol.

BACKGROUND: The Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder - Genes and Environment (ARFID-GEN) study is a study of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to risk for developing ARFID in children and adults. METHODS: A total of 3,000 children and adults with ARFID from the United States will be included. Parents/guardians and their children with ARFID (ages 7 to 17) and adults with ARFID (ages 18 +) will complete comprehensive online consent, parent verification of child assent (when applicable), and phenotyping. Enrolled participants with ARFID will submit a saliva sample for genotyping. A genome-wide association study of ARFID will be conducted. DISCUSSION: ARFID-GEN, a large-scale genetic study of ARFID, is designed to rapidly advance the study of the genetics of eating disorders. We will explicate the genetic architecture of ARFID relative to other eating disorders and to other psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and metabolic disorders and traits. Our goal is for ARFID to deliver "actionable" findings that can be transformed into clinically meaningful insights. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ARFID-GEN is a registered clinical trial: clinicaltrials.gov NCT05605067.

Picky Eating in Childhood: Associations With Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: To test whether childhood picky eating (PE)-a behavior previously linked to many forms of psychopathology-is specifically associated with symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). METHODS: We investigated the relationship between PE and symptoms of several forms of psychopathology in two separate observational samples: a sample of 110 children (5 and 6 years old) and a sample of 210 children (8 and 9 years old) drawn from a longitudinal study. In each sample, regression models based on psychiatric symptoms or diagnoses were used to assess the specificity of PE associations while accounting for cooccurring symptoms or comorbidities. RESULTS: Although bivariate associations emerged between PE and multiple forms of psychopathology, multivariate analyses revealed these associations were driven by a strong and specific association between PE and symptoms of OCD in both samples. Moreover, PE among 8- and 9-year-olds in the longitudinal study predicted emergence of additional later psychopathology, specifically attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that PE, an easily identifiable clinical presentation, is also a specific marker for obsessive-compulsive symptomatology in school-age children and may impart risk for ADHD later in childhood.

Exploring the role of disgust sensitivity and propensity in selective eating.

While disgust is a clinically and theoretically relevant construct for selective eating, limited research has examined how different aspects of disgust relate to selective eating severity in adults. Thus, the present study sought to 1) compare disgust propensity (how easily people are disgusted) and disgust sensitivity (how unpleasant disgust is) across a spectrum of selective eaters, 2) explore the specificity of the associations between disgust sensitivity/propensity and selective eating across selective eating and related phenotypes, and 3) explore whether the relationship between selective eating and disgust is food-specific. Participants were 554 adults recruited on Amazon's Mechanical Turk who completed cross-sectional surveys on study constructs. The sample was recruited to over-represent individuals with high levels of selective eating. Results support that disgust propensity, but not sensitivity, was elevated in the impaired selective eating group compared to non-impaired selective eaters and non-selective eaters. Only the selective eating phenotype was independently associated with both disgust sensitivity and propensity. Correlation results supported that the associations between selective eating and disgust were specific to the disgust elicited by food (i.e., animal protein, fruits, vegetables). Overall, results support that disgust propensity and disgust sensitivity play a role in selective eating. Results imply that disgust sensitivity associated with selective eating appears limited to the food domain and may be more specific to disgust eliciting food itself, rather than signs of food contamination or spoilage.

An investigation of the relationship between the eating behaviours of children with typical development and autism spectrum disorders and parent attitudes during mealtime eating behaviours and parent attitudes during mealtime.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition has significant importance in the course of growth and development in early childhood. Selective and fussy eating is prevalent among children with autism spectrum disorder and can have a profound impact on parents' mealtime actions. AIMS: The study aimed to investigate the relationship between parental mealtime actions and the eating behaviours of children aged 3-5 years with typical development (TD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: A total of 180 parents of children between 3 and 5 years in Ankara participated in the study; 90 were parents of children with TD, and 90 were parents of children with ASD. We measured the variables using the Brief Assessment of Mealtime Behaviour in Children (BAMBIC), Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ), and Parent Mealtime Action Scale (PMAS). RESULTS: The results revealed that food refusal, disruptive behaviours, and limited variety in TD children were related to parental actions, such as the use of rewards. We also found a negative correlation between enjoyment of food and the use of rewards. Children with ASD displayed differences concerning food refusal, and their parents were found to prepare more special meals for them compared with children with TD. CONCLUSION: Despite differences, the eating behaviours of children with TD and ASD show similarities in some cases. If a child has a low interest in eating, then their parents tend to be more insistent, use more rewards, and offer special meals. On the contrary, a child's high interest in eating harms such parental behaviours. Because an acknowledgement that a relationship exists between the eating behaviours of children and parental actions would make intervening to shape parental attitudes easier, it is recommended that future studies should be carried out to respond to the eating problems of children by working with parents.

Characteristics of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in a general paediatric inpatient sample.

OBJECTIVE: Although patients with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) often consult general paediatric services initially, existing literature mostly concentrated on intensive eating disorder treatment settings. This cross-sectional study sought to describe symptoms of ARFID and their associations with eating disorder psychopathology, quality of life, anthropometry, and physical comorbidities in a general paediatric sample. METHODS: In N = 111 patients (8-18 years) seeking treatment for physical diseases, prevalence of ARFID-related restrictive eating behaviours was estimated by self-report and compared to population-based data (N = 799). Using self-report and medical record data, further ARFID diagnostic criteria were evaluated. Patients with versus without symptoms of ARFID based on self-report and medical records were compared in diverse clinical variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported symptoms of ARFID was not higher in the inpatient than population-based sample. Only picky eating and shape concern were more common in the inpatient than population-based sample. Although 68% of the inpatient sample reported any restrictive eating behaviours, only 7% of patients showed symptoms of ARFID based on medical records in addition to self-report, particularly those with underweight, without significant effects for age, sex, and medical diagnoses. DISCUSSION: The study revealed the importance of considering ARFID within the treatment of children and adolescents with physical diseases, especially for those with underweight. Further research is needed to replicate the findings with interview-based measures and to investigate the direction of effects in ARFID and its physical correlates.

Classifying and characterizing Chinese young adults reporting picky eating: A latent profile analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Picky eating (PE) is common across the lifespan and related to psychosocial impairment and limited dietary variety. However, research about PE in non-Western countries is limited. Because eating behaviors may differ by culture, operationalizing PE in non-Western countries (e.g., China) is needed. The present study aimed to replicate two previous studies identifying PE profiles in Western countries by using latent profile analysis (LPA) to classify and characterize adults reporting picky eating in a Chinese sample. METHOD: A sample of 1,068 Chinese young adults completed a battery of questionnaires including the adult eating behavior questionnaire (AEBQ). LPA was utilized to identify eating profiles. The three-step approach was used to examine predictors of latent memberships and profile differences on various self-reported measures. RESULTS: The best fit was a four-profile solution, with two picky eating profiles emerging: picky eating and severe picky eating. Compared to those in the other two profiles, participants in the picky eating profile (19.4%) and severe picky eating profile (3.3%) had significantly higher scores on self-reported eating disorder symptoms and psychological distress, and lower scores on self-reported food-related life satisfaction. Relative to the picky eating profile, participants in the severe picky eating profile reported significantly greater self-reported eating disorder symptoms, psychological distress, and food-related dissatisfaction. DISCUSSION: Characterizing PE profiles is an important step toward understanding eating behaviors among Chinese young adults. Identifying various eating profiles has implications for future research related to PE, including the development of diagnostic tools and interventions to address PE in a Chinese context.

Conceptualizing the role of disgust in avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder: Implications for the etiology and treatment of selective eating.

Selective eating is a common presenting problem in Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Understanding the etiology of selective eating will lead to the creation of more effective treatments for this problem. Recent reports have linked disgust sensitivity to picky eating, and the field has yet to conceptualize the role that disgust might play in ARFID. Disgust has long been tied to formation of taste aversions and is considered at its core to be a food-related emotion. A brief review of the literature on disgust reveals that disgust has a unique psychophysiological profile compared to other emotions, like anxiety, and that disgust is resistant to extinction procedures. If disgust is implicated in the etiology of selective eating, its presence would have a significant impact on treatment approaches. This article provides an overview of the research on disgust and eating, a clinical example of the treatment challenges that disgust may pose, and an overview of the unique clinical features of disgust as they apply to psychopathology. We pose several research questions related to disgust and selective eating and discuss initial hypotheses for pursing this line of inquiry. Finally, we discuss the possible implications of this line of research for treatment.

Characteristics of outpatients diagnosed with the selective/neophobic presentation of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Although Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) has existed since the publication of DSM-5 in 2013, research on the descriptive psychopathology of treatment-seeking patients with formal ARFID diagnoses is sparse, and limited to tertiary eating disorder-focused treatment settings where most patients present with weight loss/malnutrition. In these settings, the selective/neophobic symptom presentation is rare compared to other primary eating restrictions. We aimed provide initial descriptive psychopathology of ARFID primary selective/neophobic symptom presentation in an outpatient setting, and to explore the prevalence of the core ARFID symptoms and clinical differences among patients meeting criteria based on weight/nutritional symptoms versus psychosocial impairment only. METHOD: We reviewed the charts of 22 consecutive outpatients diagnosed with ARFID caused by selective/neophobic eating, and describe symptoms, impairment, illness trajectory, and demographic features. Patients who met ARFID criteria because of weight loss/nutritional problems were compared to those who met for psychosocial impairment only on demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Patients were predominantly male (81.8%) and school-aged (4-11 years). 81.8% had no weight/nutritional symptoms documented by a medical provider. All met criteria for significant psychosocial impairment. There were few differences between patients who did versus did not meet weight loss/nutritional criteria for ARFID; they differed only in age and in the presence of appetite disturbances consistent with another proposed presentation of ARFID. DISCUSSION: These results provide novel data on the clinical characteristics of individuals who present with a primary presentation of selective/neophobic ARFID, including support for psychosocial impairment as sufficient for fulfilling ARFID criterion A.

Further support for diagnostically meaningful ARFID symptom presentations in an adolescent medicine partial hospitalization program.

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential presentations of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in a pediatric eating disorder partial hospitalization program (PHP) based on the nature of the eating restriction leading to core symptoms of ARFID. METHOD: A retrospective chart review of 83 patients ages 8-17 admitted to a PHP and diagnosed with ARFID. Charts were independently reviewed by two coders, with high inter-rater agreement (κ = 0.77). Distinct categories were identified and groups were compared on demographics, anthropometrics, comorbid psychopathology, and core ARFID symptoms. RESULTS: We identified cases characterized by predominantly selective eating based on aversions to the sensory properties of foods, lack of interest in eating/low appetite, and fear of aversive consequences from eating. We also distinguished a subset of patients with eating restrictions consistent with both selectivity and limited interest/appetite. The four primary ARFID presentation groups differed on core ARFID criteria, symptom trajectory and illness duration, mood and medical comorbidities, age, gender, and parent-reported symptoms of psychopathology. DISCUSSION: The present findings suggest that there are diagnostically meaningful ARFID subtypes that can be differentiated based on the nature of their eating restrictions, as well as other demographic, illness history features, and psychiatric comorbidity. As treatments for youth with ARFID are developed and refined, it will be important to take into consideration not only demographic differences, but also the variability in symptoms, as this might require distinct interventions and levels of care. Additionally, differing mechanisms that maintain different types of eating restrictions might necessitate unique psychological and psychiatric interventions.

Feeding difficulties in children with autism spectrum disorder: Aetiology, health impacts and psychotherapeutic interventions.

Feeding difficulties are common and significant issues for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families. Key features of autism are intrinsically linked with factors contributing to these children's feeding difficulties. Following a multidisciplinary assessment to exclude non-behavioural reasons for the feeding difficulty, there are two mainstay modalities of treatment: operant conditioning and systematic desensitisation. Currently, evidence points towards operant conditioning as the most efficacious psychotherapy. However, recent research into cognitive behavioural therapy for older children with feeding difficulties has shown promising results and will be an area to monitor in the coming years. This review outlines the causes and health impacts and evaluates current evidence supporting the available psychotherapeutic interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder experiencing feeding difficulties.

Exploring the cooccurrence of behavioural phenotypes for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in a partial hospitalization sample.

OBJECTIVE: Literature providing clinical characterizations of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) has proposed the occurrence of three functions for food refusal: fear of negative consequences, lack of hunger, or sensory sensitivity. Recent studies have suggested that these functions may be used to subtype patients presenting with ARFID; however, other work suggests that these categories are not mutually exclusive and instead represent neurobiological dimensions that can cooccur. The current study explored the potential cooccurrence of behavioural phenotypes in patients with ARFID presenting to a partial hospitalization program. METHOD: Two raters conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with ARFID presenting to treatment from June 2014 to May 2018 (N = 59). RESULTS: Regarding cooccurrence of symptoms consistent with behavioural phenotypes, raters showed excellent agreement, and over 50% of the sample endorsed symptoms consistent with more than one phenotype. The sensory sensitivity phenotype was most common in the sample and frequently cooccurred with both other phenotypes. DISCUSSION: Results suggest that multiple functions for food avoidance may be present within one individual. Future work should aim to further characterize individuals presenting with singular versus multiple phenotype characteristics.

Development of a tool to measure the number of foods and beverages consumed by children using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) FFQ data.

OBJECTIVE: There is currently no standard, objective definition of selective eating. This is partially because normative values for the number of different foods eaten by US children have not been established. The present study objectives were to: (i) perform exploratory analysis on the number of different foods, beverages, and total foods and beverages consumed by US children aged 2-18 years over a year's time, and the types of foods consumed by those in the lowest 2·5th percentile; and (ii) determine whether those values differ according to demographic variables and weight status. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional FFQ data. Differences in number of foods, beverages, and total foods and beverages were analysed using one-way ANOVA. SETTING: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2003-2006. SUBJECTS: Non-institutionalized US children aged 2-18 years. RESULTS: The mean number of different foods and beverages consumed across the sample was 83·2. There were no significant differences by gender, BMI, race or food security categories. There was a difference in beverage consumption by age category, with children aged 12-18 years consuming a significantly higher number of different beverages compared with each of the other two age categories (i.e. 2-5 years and 6-11 years). CONCLUSIONS: Normative values for the number of foods and drinks reported as consumed by children over the past 12 months may be a useful measure for researchers. Future research validating this measure is needed before cut-off values can be used to develop a definition of selective eating.

Pathological and non-pathological variants of restrictive eating behaviors in middle childhood: A latent class analysis.

Although restrictive eating behaviors are very common during early childhood, their precise nature and clinical correlates remain unclear. Especially, there is little evidence on restrictive eating behaviors in older children and their associations with children's shape concern. The present population-based study sought to delineate subgroups of restrictive eating patterns in N = 799 7-14 year old children. Using Latent Class Analysis, children were classified based on six restrictive eating behaviors (for example, picky eating, food neophobia, and eating-related anxiety) and shape concern, separately in three age groups. For cluster validation, sociodemographic and objective anthropometric data, parental feeding practices, and general and eating disorder psychopathology were used. The results showed a 3-cluster solution across all age groups: an asymptomatic class (Cluster 1), a class with restrictive eating behaviors without shape concern (Cluster 2), and a class showing restrictive eating behaviors with prominent shape concern (Cluster 3). The clusters differed in all variables used for validation. Particularly, the proportion of children with symptoms of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder was greater in Cluster 2 than Clusters 1 and 3. The study underlined the importance of considering shape concern to distinguish between different phenotypes of children's restrictive eating patterns. Longitudinal data are needed to evaluate the clusters' predictive effects on children's growth and development of clinical eating disorders.

Pudendal nerve entrapment leading to avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): A case report.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a diagnosis in diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-5 (DSM-5) manifested by persistent failure to meet nutritional and/or energy needs. Pudendal nerve entrapment (PNE) often causes pelvic discomfort in addition to constipation and painful bowel movements. Current literature on ARFID is sparse and focuses on the pediatric and adolescent population. No association between PNE and ARFID has been described. We present a case of ARFID in an adult male with PNE resulting from subsequent scarring from testicular cancer surgery. The patient's gastrointestinal symptoms due to PNE caused significant food avoidance and restriction subsequently leading to severe malnourishment. Clinicians should be aware that distressing gastrointestinal symptoms arising from a secondary disease process such as PNE might lead to dietary restriction and food aversion. More research is needed for proper screening, detection, and treatment of ARFID. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2017; 50:84-87).

Variants of early-onset restrictive eating disturbances in middle childhood.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the factor structure of the newly developed self-report screening questionnaire Eating Disturbances in Youth-Questionnaire (EDY-Q) as well as to report the distribution of variants of early-onset restrictive eating disturbances characteristic of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in a middle childhood population sample. METHOD: Using the EDY-Q, a total of 1,444 children aged 8-13 years were screened in elementary schools in Switzerland via self-report. The factor analysis of the 12 items covering ARFID related symptoms was performed using a principal component analysis (PCA). RESULTS: The PCA showed a four factor solution, with clear allocation to the scales covering three variants of early-onset restrictive eating disturbances and weight problems. Inadequate overall food intake was reported by 19.3% of the children, a limited accepted amount of food by 26.1%, and food avoidance based on a specific underlying fear by 5.0%. DISCUSSION: The postulated factor structure of the EDY-Q was confirmed, further supporting the existence of distinct variants of early-onset restrictive eating disturbances. Avoidant/restrictive eating behavior seems to be a common experience in middle childhood, but results have to be confirmed using validated interviews.

Feel your food. The influence of tactile sensitivity on picky eating in children.

Children who are very picky in eating frequently refuse the intake of foods. This rejection is not only based on the evaluation of taste, but also on tactile qualities of foods. It matters whether food is crispy or slimy, consistent, or with bits and pips. It is hypothesised that children who are more sensitive to touch and dislike the feel of various tactile stimuli in general, are also more dismissive of tactile stimulation in their mouth and therefore more selective in their eating. In the present study, 44 children between the ages of 4 and 10 were asked to feel different tactile stimuli with their hands and to taste different foods. Results showed a significant positive correlation between the evaluations of the two modalities, especially for the younger subjects. This suggests that tactile sensitivity might play a role in the acceptance of food. Future research could explore if training children to tolerate more tactile stimuli would also increase their appreciation of a wider variety of foods.

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder: recent advances in neurobiology and treatment.

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterized by persistent insufficient nutritional and/or energy intake. ARFID, before referred to as "selective eating disorder", was introduced recently in the DSM-5 as a replacement for and expansion of the previous diagnosis. Individuals with ARFID may limit food variety and intake due to avoidance based on the sensory characteristics of the food or related to any adverse consequences of eating without the intention of losing weight and concerns of body image. The limited understanding of avoidant and restrictive eating poses challenges to effective treatment and management, impacting directly on the growth and development of children and adolescents. The ARFID neurobiological concept has not yet been clearly defined to clinical practice for nutritionists, thereby hindering screening and impeding the development of treatment recommendations. This narrative review provide useful practical information to consult the pathophysiology, the neurobiology, the clinical features, the assessment and the treatment for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their clinical knowledge and management of this disorder.

Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder characterized by persistent insufficient nutritional and/or energy intake. Individuals with ARFID exhibit limited food intake and variety, often due to a lack in eating, without the primary goal of weight loss. The limited understanding of avoidant and restrictive eating poses challenges in terms of effective treatment and management, which directly impacts the growth and development of children and adolescents, as well as their nutrition and psychosocial well-being. ARFID is a relatively recent diagnostic classification, representing a burgeoning field of study. The identification of diagnostic criteria and the pursuit of new knowledge in this area have only recently begun. Consequently, assessment tools and treatment strategies are still in the process of development and validation. This narrative review explored the neurobiological perspective of ARFID using the three-dimensional model, examined its etiology and risk factors, evaluated clinical screening and evaluation tools, discussed common clinical complications, and presented different types of nutritional, behavioural, and pharmacological interventions used in ARFID treatment.

Priorities, barriers, and facilitators for nutrition-related care for autistic children: a qualitative study comparing interdisciplinary health professional and parent perspectives.

Introduction: Children with autism spectrum disorder often face nutrition-related challenges, such as food selectivity, gastrointestinal issues, overweight and obesity, and inadequate nutrient intake. However, the role of routine nutrition-related screening or care by interdisciplinary health professionals is not well understood. This study aimed to compare the beliefs of health professionals with those of parents of autistic children regarding high-priority nutrition-related challenges, barriers and facilitators to care, and desired education and resources related to nutrition for autistic children. Participants: Interdisciplinary health professionals (n = 25) (i.e., pediatricians, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, board certified behavior analysts, registered dietitians) and parents of autistic children (n = 22). Methods: The study used semi-structured phone interviews, which were recorded, transcribed, verified, and double-coded using the Framework Method. Results: Thematic analysis of transcripts revealed that while health professionals and parents of autistic children shared some perspectives on nutrition-related challenges and care, they also had distinct viewpoints. Parents emphasized the importance of addressing food selectivity, behavioral eating challenges, sensory issues, and sleep disturbances affecting appetite. Both groups acknowledged the need for tailored support, access to an interdisciplinary care team, and reasonable expectations. Some health professionals perceived parents as lacking motivation or the ability to make changes. In contrast, many parents felt that health professionals lacked the knowledge and motivation to take nutrition or growth concerns seriously. Health professionals acknowledged that their lack of knowledge or capacity to provide nutrition education or referrals was a common barrier to care, particularly given limited community resources. Discussion: Health professionals who serve autistic children are motivated to address nutrition-related challenges but lack resources related to nutrition. To promote better health outcomes for autistic children, professionals should identify and support parent motivations around nutrition-related care. Both groups expressed interest in accessing autism-specific resources for education, referral, and screening guidance. Future research could explore the development of healthcare training models that improve the competency of health professionals in providing nutrition care and referral for autistic children.

Arfid Genes and Environment (ARFID-GEN): Study Protocol.

Background: The Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Genes and Environment (ARFID-GEN) study is a study of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to risk for developing ARFID in children and adults. Methods: A total of 3,000 children and adults with ARFID from the United States will be included. Parents/guardians and their children with ARFID (ages 7 to 17) and adults with ARFID (ages 18+) will complete comprehensive online consent, parent verification of child assent (when applicable), and phenotyping. Enrolled participants with ARFID will submit a saliva sample for genotyping. A genome-wide association study of ARFID will be conducted. Discussion: ARFID-GEN, a large-scale genetic study of ARFID, is designed to rapidly advance the study of the genetics of eating disorders. We will explicate the genetic architecture of ARFID relative to other eating disorders and to other psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and metabolic disorders and traits. Our goal is for ARFID to deliver "actionable" findings that can be transformed into clinically meaningful insights. Trial registration: ARFID-GEN is a registered clinical trial: clinicaltrials.gov NCT05605067.