Our findings suggest that patients with ARFID can be successfully treated in the same PHP as patients with other ED, with comparable improvements in weight and psychopathology over a shorter time period. Results are limited to patients with ARFID who exhibit an acute onset of severe food restriction. Future research should incorporate measures relevant to the diagnosis of ARFID and explore how patients with different ARFID subtypes may respond to various treatments.

Objective To identify potential presentations of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in a pediatric eating disorder partial hospitalization program (PHP) based on the nature of the eating restriction leading to core symptoms of ARFID. Method A retrospective chart review of 83 patients ages 8–17 admitted to a PHP and diagnosed with ARFID. Charts were independently reviewed by two coders, with high inter‐rater agreement (κ = 0.77). Distinct categories were identified and groups were compared on demographics, anthropometrics, comorbid psychopathology, and core ARFID symptoms. Results We identified cases characterized by predominantly selective eating based on aversions to the sensory properties of foods, lack of interest in eating/low appetite, and fear of aversive consequences from eating. We also distinguished a subset of patients with eating restrictions consistent with both selectivity and limited interest/appetite. The four primary ARFID presentation groups differed on core ARFID criteria, symptom trajectory and illness duration, mood and medical comorbidities, age, gender, and parent‐reported symptoms of psychopathology. Discussion The present findings suggest that there are diagnostically meaningful ARFID subtypes that can be differentiated based on the nature of their eating restrictions, as well as other demographic, illness history features, and psychiatric comorbidity. As treatments for youth with ARFID are developed and refined, it will be important to take into consideration not only demographic differences, but also the variability in symptoms, as this might require distinct interventions and levels of care. Additionally, differing mechanisms that maintain different types of eating restrictions might necessitate unique psychological and psychiatric interventions.

Recent reviews have challenged the view that gay men are at higher risk than heterosexual men for developing poor body image. The current project examined the extent to which gay and heterosexual men differed on measures related to body image. We also examined whether body mass index (BMI) moderated the association between sexual orientation and body image. Across 5 studies, 111,958 heterosexual men and 4,398 gay men completed surveys assessing different aspects of body image. Gay men generally reported lower body satisfaction than heterosexual men, but these differences were typically small (most ds < .20). Gay men were more likely than heterosexual men to report dissatisfaction with their physical appearance (29 vs. 21%) and muscle size/tone (45 vs. 30%), but not weight (44 vs. 39%). Gay men were also more likely to agree that they experienced objectification (d = .40; 77% agree vs. 61% agree), surveillance (d = .50; 58 vs. 39%), appearance-based social comparison (d = .45; 68 vs. 51%), and pressure from the media to be attractive (d = .68; 58 vs. 29%). Odds ratios showed that gay men were more likely to consider cosmetic surgery (3.96), use diet pills (2.59), diet in the past year to lose weight (1.84), and avoid sex because of body dissatisfaction (6.28). BMI was a strong predictor of body dissatisfaction in men, but did not consistently moderate the association between sexual orientation and body image. Differences between heterosexual and gay men were largest on measures assessing body modification and perceived sociocultural pressures.

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Patients with ARFID and AN exhibit similar improvements in %MBMI when treated in the same PHP and appear to maintain treatment gains at long-term follow-up. Additionally, most patients continue to utilize outpatient services after being discharged from a PHP.