Diet Aversion: Researchers in Leipzig identify symptoms in individuals with excess weight
In a groundbreaking study published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, a team from Leipzig University Medicine has identified a new group of patients with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). This discovery challenges the traditional understanding of ARFID, which is primarily associated with underweight and malnutrition.
The study, led by Dr. Schmidt and colleagues, surveyed 369 adults online and conducted clinical interviews with some participants. The results showed that 66% of participants had expected underweight, but surprisingly, 34% had increased body weight. This finding underscores the expanding ARFID phenotype, as ARFID in overweight individuals represents a clinically important shift from the traditional focus.
Unlike anorexia or bulimia, ARFID can lead to health problems and complications due to unbalanced or insufficient nutrition. However, in the overweight group, the disorder may manifest without the classic markers of malnutrition or low BMI, making it often overlooked.
The new group of ARFID patients exhibits more picky eating, reports greater daily life stress, and suffers more psychosocial impairments. Unlike classical eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, which involve fear of weight gain or distorted body image, this group's weight concerns are often mistakenly attributed to other eating disorders or dieting behaviors.
ARFID is not driven by an unhealthy desire to lose weight, but by feelings of disgust towards certain smells, textures, or fears of choking or vomiting. Since ARFID is primarily treated with cognitive behavioral therapies, a correct diagnosis is crucial.
Dr. Schmidt warns about misdiagnoses, stating that ARFID often goes undetected in individuals with higher body weight. Prior to the Leipzig team's findings, most patients identified with ARFID had low weight. The researchers propose that diagnostic and screening procedures for ARFID should be revised to account for this new group.
While orthorexia, an eating behavior that can be harmful, was not mentioned in relation to the new group of ARFID patients, it is essential to note that ARFID remains not well-known in clinical practice. The rights to the video about orthorexia belong to Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk, which published it on August 3, 2025.
The addition of ARFID to the official ICD-10 and ICD-11 catalogs in 2018 and 2022, respectively, marks a significant step in recognising and addressing this eating disorder. As more research and clinical observations emerge, the understanding and treatment of ARFID continue to evolve, ensuring that individuals with this disorder receive the care they need, regardless of their weight.
Science has uncovered a new group of ARFID patients who exhibit more picky eating, greater daily life stress, and psychosocial impairments, often incorrectly attributed to other eating disorders or dieting behaviors. This development in health-and-wellness, particularly mental-health, challenges the traditional understanding of ARFID and underscores the need for revising diagnostic and screening procedures for the disorder in order to accurately identify and treat patients, regardless of their weight.
