Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder is equally common in males and females in in-
fancy and early childhood, but avoidant/restric tive food intake di sorder comorbid with
autism spectrum disorder has a male predominance. Food avoidance or restriction related
to altered sensory sensitivities can occur in some physiological conditions, most notably
pregnancy, but is not usually extreme and does  not meet full criter ia for the disorder.
Diagnostic Markers
Diagnostic markers include malnutrition, low weight, growth delay, and the need for ar-
tificial nutrition in the absence of any clear medical condition other than poor intake.
Functional Consequences of Avoidant/Restrictive 
Food Intake Disorder
Associated developmental and fu nctional limitations include impairment of physical de-
velopment and social difficulties that can have a significant negative impact on family
function. 
Differential Diagnosis
Appetite loss preceding restricted intake is a nonspecific symptom that can accompany a
number of mental diagnoses. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder can be diagnosed
concurrently with the disorders below if all criteria are met, and the eating disturbance re-
quires specific clinical attention. 
Other medical conditions (e.g., gastrointest inal disease, food allergies and intoler-
ances, occult malignancies). Restriction of food intake ma y occur in other medical condi-