Kids with food allergies face a unique challenge: they must avoid certain foods to stay safe, but sometimes this necessary caution can develop into something more serious called ARFID (avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder). This happens when people avoid even more foods than medically necessary, which can harm their nutrition and mental health. Researchers have discovered that food allergies affect about 8% of American children, and these kids may be at higher risk for developing ARFID because of the stress, worry, and constant vigilance required to manage their allergies safely. This article explores why this connection exists and why doctors need to pay more attention to it.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How food allergies might lead some children to develop unhealthy eating patterns where they avoid more foods than they actually need to avoid for safety
  • Who participated: This was a review article examining existing research about children with food allergies and eating disorders; no new patients were studied
  • Key finding: Children with food allergies appear to be at higher risk for developing ARFID (a condition where people severely restrict what they eat), and doctors don’t currently recognize or study this connection enough
  • What it means for you: If you or your child has a food allergy, it’s important to work with doctors who understand both allergy management and eating behaviors to prevent unnecessary food restrictions from developing

The Research Details

This was a review article, not a study with new research participants. Instead of conducting experiments, the researchers looked at existing scientific literature to understand the relationship between food allergies and ARFID. They examined what we currently know about how food allergies affect children’s eating behaviors and mental health. The researchers, who work with both food allergy and eating disorder patients, created a framework—basically a map—showing three main ways that food allergies might lead to unhealthy eating patterns. This approach helps doctors and researchers understand a problem that hasn’t been studied enough yet.

This type of review is important because it identifies a gap in medical knowledge. Doctors have been treating food allergies and eating disorders separately, but this research suggests they’re connected. By proposing a framework for understanding this connection, the researchers are calling attention to a problem that may be affecting many children without anyone realizing it.

This is a perspective piece from experienced clinical researchers, which means it’s based on expert opinion and existing research rather than new data. While it doesn’t provide definitive proof, it raises important questions that deserve further study. The authors are transparent about the fact that this area is understudied, which is honest and helpful for readers.

What the Results Show

The researchers identified three main ways that food allergies might push children toward developing ARFID. First, allergic reactions themselves can be scary and unpredictable, and the medical treatments (like using an EpiPen) can be traumatic, making children anxious about eating. Second, managing a food allergy requires constant vigilance—always checking labels, asking about ingredients, worrying about accidental exposure—which creates mental exhaustion and anxiety around food. This ongoing stress can make children want to avoid more and more foods to feel safer. Third, children with food allergies may learn to fear food in ways that go beyond what’s medically necessary, and their bodies may become extra sensitive to food-related stress, making them more likely to restrict their eating.

The researchers also noted that current allergy testing methods aren’t perfect. Sometimes tests suggest someone is allergic to foods they can actually eat safely, which can lead to unnecessary avoidance. Additionally, both children with food allergies and their parents may develop anxiety and stress that affects the whole family’s relationship with food. When ARFID develops on top of a real food allergy, it becomes much harder to treat because the person is avoiding foods for both medical and psychological reasons.

Previous research has shown that children with medical conditions requiring dietary changes (like diabetes or celiac disease) have higher rates of eating disorders. However, food allergy and ARFID have been surprisingly understudied together, even though food allergy is very common in children. This review brings attention to a connection that experts believe exists but hasn’t been thoroughly investigated.

This is a review article proposing a framework, not a study with actual data, so it doesn’t prove that food allergies cause ARFID. The researchers are calling for more research to test their ideas. Additionally, the exact number of children who have both food allergy and ARFID is unknown because doctors haven’t been looking for this combination systematically.

The Bottom Line

If your child has a food allergy, work with healthcare providers who understand both allergy management and eating behaviors. Watch for signs that your child is avoiding more foods than necessary or becoming anxious about eating. Consider working with a therapist or counselor experienced in both food allergies and eating concerns. These recommendations are based on expert opinion and existing research, though more direct evidence is still needed.

Parents and doctors of children with food allergies should pay attention to this research. Children with food allergies, teenagers managing their own allergies, and anyone with both a food allergy and disordered eating patterns should discuss this with their healthcare team. This is less relevant for people without food allergies.

ARFID can develop gradually over months or years as anxiety about food builds. Recognizing the connection early and getting appropriate support may help prevent it from developing in the first place.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track both medically necessary food avoidances (based on allergy testing) and foods your child avoids due to fear or anxiety. Note which foods are avoided for medical reasons versus psychological reasons to help identify when avoidance is expanding beyond what’s necessary.
  • Use the app to set a goal of gradually reintroducing foods that are safe but have been avoided due to anxiety. Work with a healthcare provider to identify safe foods to practice with, and track successful exposures to build confidence.
  • Monitor the ratio of medically necessary avoidances to total foods avoided. Track anxiety levels around mealtimes and eating. Note any expansion of food avoidance over time, which could signal developing ARFID that needs professional attention.

This article reviews expert opinion and existing research about the potential connection between food allergies and eating disorders. It is not a diagnosis or treatment recommendation. If you or your child has a food allergy, eating concerns, or both, please consult with qualified healthcare providers including allergists and mental health professionals. Do not change allergy management or eating patterns without medical guidance. This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice.