¿Qué es el ARFID?

Aimee Brueck • August 25, 2025

Esto es un trastorno menos conocido como la anorexia o la bulimia. Esto es conocido por sus siglas en inglés como ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). El ARFID es caracterizado por una alimentación muy limitada, ya sea por la evitación de ciertos sabores, texturas, colores, olores o por un miedo intenso a las consecuencias de comer (como atragantarse o vomitar). ARFID no está relacionado con la imagen corporal ni el deseo de adelgazar. EL ARFID afecta la vida social del niño, no es simplemente una etapa de "comer selectivo"

¿Cómo se manifiesta?

  • Comen solo unos pocos alimentos que son "seguros"
  • Evitan completamente grupos de alimentos (frutas, vegetales, proteínas)
  • Tienen ansiedad a comidas específicas
  • Interferencia con el funcionamiento social o familiar (ansiedad extrema al comer fuera de casa o en reuniones)
  • Sienten poco o ningún interés por la comida
  • Deficiencias nutricionales, a veces necesitan suplementos nutricionales

¿Cuál es la causa?

No hay única causa, pero algunos factores de riesgo incluyen:

  • Trastornos sensoriales (es común en autismo)
  • Ansiedad o fobias relacionadas con la comida
  • Experiencias traumáticas con alimentos (atragantamiento, vómitos, alergias)
  • Problemas gastrointestinales o médicos que hacen que la comida sea incómoda o dolorosa

¿Qué es la terapia de alimentación?

La terapia de alimentación es una intervención especializada que busca ayudar a niños a desarrollar una relación más saludable con la comida. Buscamos la mejor manera a través de terapeutas ocupacionales o/y patólogos del habla y lenguaje, que también trabajan con niños con trastornos de alimentación. Usamos estrategias para reducir la ansiedad, exposición gradual, sensibilización sensorial, desarrollo de habilidades orales-motoras, y educación y participación familiar. Este proceso no es rápido, es gradual y requiere paciencia, constancia, y apoyo emocional.

Nuestro compromiso en Progressive Pediatric Therapy

En Progressive Pediatric Therapy, entendemos lo difícil que puede ser enfrentar desafíos de alimentación. Nuestro equipo está capacitado para apoyar a niños con ARFID mediante planes de terapia individualizados y compasivos. Ya sea que su hijo necesite ayuda con la exposición a nuevos alimentos, habilidades orales-motoras o apoyo sensorial, estamos aquí para acompañarlos en cada paso del proceso.

¿Cree que su hijo podría beneficiarse de la terapia de alimentación?

Contáctenos para programar una evaluación con uno de nuestros terapeutas pediátricos especializados.

Para más consejos terapéuticos, actividades para niños y recursos para familias, ¡síganos en nuestras redes sociales!

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