A 14-year-old boy presents with complete restriction of food intake leading to significantly low body weight, but he does not express an intense fear of becoming fat or disturbance in how his body weight or shape is experienced. He avoids eating due to the sensory characteristics of food and reports gastrointestinal discomfort. What is the most likely diagnosis?

• A Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder ✓
• B Anorexia Nervosa, restricting type
• C Atypical Anorexia Nervosa
• D Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder, purging disorder

Explanation

Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder involves eating or feeding disturbance manifested by persistent failure to meet appropriate nutritional needs, associated with significant weight loss, nutritional deficiency, dependence on enteral feeding or supplements, or marked interference with psychosocial functioning. It is not driven by concerns about body weight or shape, distinguishing it from anorexia nervosa. Sensory sensitivity and fear of aversive consequences are common presentations.

Reference: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed.

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