PATIENT PRESENTATION MARKER

Avoidant eating

What this marker measures

Presence/absence of self-reported food avoidance or restriction driven by sensory characteristics, low interest in eating, or fear of aversive consequences.

Health categories/Interpretations informed by this marker

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Clinical features
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‍● Psychosocial concerns: avoidant eating is a commonly-reported psychosocial factor that can affect quality of life.
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Interpreting the result

PRESENT

Questionnaire responses indicate regularly avoiding or restricting food because of how it tastes, smells or feels, low interest in eating or low hunger, or worry about unpleasant consequences such as choking, vomiting or feeling unwell.

NOT PRESENT

Questionnaire responses do not indicate regularly avoiding or restricting food for sensory reasons, low interest in eating, or worry about unpleasant consequences.

Patient management insights

clinical management

Consider further screening: ARFID is increasingly recognised in DGBI (disorders of gut-brain interaction). Features include sensory-based food avoidance ("picky eating"), appetite disturbance (low interest in eating), and eating-related fear (concern about aversive consequences like choking or vomiting).^1–3
GRADE D

Tips for patients discussion

"Your questionnaire responses suggest you often avoid or limit certain foods, whether because of how they taste or feel, a low appetite, or worry about how you'll feel afterwards. This is common in people with gut symptoms. It's worth looking at this a little more closely so we can make sure you're getting the nourishment you need."

Source references for all clinical associations, interpretation definitions, and patient management insights on this card.

1. Blomsten, A. et al. Avoidant/restrictive eating in people with and without bowel symptoms in the general population: prevalence, clinical profile, and associated factors. Am J Gastroenterol (2025). doi:10.14309/ajg.0000000000003735
2. Brownlow, G. et al. The prevalence and burden of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) symptoms in the adult general population of the UK and USA. Int J Eat Disord 59, 362–370 (2026).
3. Flack, R. et al. The prevalence and burden of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder symptoms in adults with disorders of gut-brain interaction: a population-based study. Gastroenterology 170, 365–374 (2026).