Avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in Swedish preschool children: a screening study
ARFID is not uncommon among preschoolers, though prevalence may be slightly overestimated in this study. It is primarily characterized by sensory-based avoidance and low interest in eating, and by psychosocial impairment instead of physical health consequences, underscoring the need to assess impact beyond weight, growth, and nutrition. Early neurodevelopmental difficulties are overrepresented, highlighting their relevance for early detection and intervention. The ARFID-Brief Screener demonstrated promising psychometric properties and may be a valuable tool for routine screening, though follow-up assessments remain necessary to confirm a diagnoses.
Authors
- Anne-Katrin Kantzer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3960-6398)
- Katarzyna Brimo
- Christopher Gillberg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8848-1934)
- Lisa Dinkler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9901-4984)
- Maria Råstam (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0819-3946)
- Per Möllborg (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2742-6154)
- Elisabeth Fernell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4516-7747)
- Mikiya Fujieda (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8975-0400)
- Ralf Kuja‐Halkola (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3765-2067)
- Masamitsu Eitoku (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1715-9670)
- Kahoko Yasumitsu‐Lovell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8379-3514)
- Narufumi Suganuma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1610-6216)
- Rachel Bryant‐Waugh
- Helena Holmäng
- Zerina Omanovic
Institutions
- King's College London (GB)
- Lund University (SE)
- South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (GB)
- University of Kochi (JP)
- Karolinska Institutet (SE)
- Kochi Medical School Hospital (JP)
- NU Hospital Group (SE)
- Kōchi University (JP)
- University of Gothenburg (SE)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Eating Disorders
- Published
- 2025-08-18
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01369-w
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.94
Funders
- AnnMari och Per Ahlqvists Stiftelse
- Svenska Sällskapet för Medicinsk Forskning
- Hjärnfonden
- Karolinska Institutet
- Vetenskapsrådet
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science