Can avoidant restrictive food intake disorder be caused by gastrointestinal problems?

One of the criteria for diagnosing ARFID is that the avoidant or restrictive food behavior cannot be better explained by another medical condition, such as a gastrointestinal disorder (e.g., IBS, acid reflux, gastritis). However, it is possible for both conditions to coexist. Research indicates that people with GI disorders, including disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI), often eliminate specific foods (such as dairy products or carbohydrates) based on their assumptions about what triggers their GI symptoms. When this behavior becomes consistent, it can evolve into a restrictive eating disorder like ARFID. Failing to recognize the presence of ARFID and attributing the food restriction solely to the GI disorder or symptoms can result in the oversight of appropriate treatments.^[1][2]

Moreover, people with undiagnosed ARFID who also experience GI symptoms may struggle to adhere to dietary recommendations. By independently deciding which foods to avoid or restrict, they may inadvertently worsen their GI symptoms, which can create a cycle of fear associated with eating specific foods. Although avoiding certain foods is quite common in people with GI disorders, clinicians should carefully monitor eating behaviors and screen for the presence of ARFID to ensure that the appropriate treatment is provided.^[1][3][2]