Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (
ARFID) is characterized in part by limited dietary variety, but dietary characteristics of this disorder have not yet been systematically studied. Our objective was to examine dietary intake defined by diet variety, macronutrient intake, and micronutrient intake in children and adolescents with full or subthreshold
ARFID in comparison to healthy controls. We collected and analyzed four-day food record data for 52 participants with full or subthreshold
ARFID, and 52 healthy controls, aged 9-22 years. We examined frequency of commonly reported foods by logistic regression and intake by food groups, macronutrients, and
micronutrients between groups with repeated-measures ANOVA. Participants with full or subthreshold
ARFID did not report any fruit or vegetable category in their top five most commonly reported food categories, whereas these food groups occupied three of the top five groups for healthy controls. Vegetable and
protein intake were significantly lower in full or subthreshold
ARFID compared to healthy controls. Intakes of added
sugars and total
carbohydrates were significantly higher in full or subthreshold
ARFID compared to healthy controls. Individuals with full or subthreshold
ARFID had lower intake of
vitamins K and B12, consistent with limited vegetable and
protein intake compared to healthy controls. Our results support the need for diet diversification as part of therapeutic interventions for
ARFID to reduce risk for nutrient insufficiencies and related complications.