Claudia, Giulio's mother, was diagnosed with Arfid at the age of four: "Immediately he began to completely refuse any food except pasta or rice.I thought it was part of growing up" | Vanity Fair Italy

Still unknown, this new eating disorder is common especially in children and adolescents, which affects mostly men. Affected people eat very little food, usually less than 10. The story of the victims and how they recovered.

"Giulio was always a happy child with a normal appetite. But at the age of 4, for no apparent reason or trigger, he started eating very little food. At first I thought it was a growth phase, a way to get attention. Giulio, apart from meals, remained a sociable child who wanted to go to kindergarten with all the other children. But the real drama began when he came home from school and had to eat. He only ate pasta, white rice, meat and fish.Ate, but fried au gratin and usually he looked for something crunchy.I and the whole family tried to get him to eat in the best possible way.He didn't want to imitate them and didn't want to taste their food.In a few weeks he decided that he didn't even like pasta or rice anymoreI realized that this sudden increase had alarm bells for me, although he was just 5 years oldThe activities are proposed: you draw the plasticine and you continue to manipulate the food.This constant 'hands in the dough', in the most literal sense of the word, makes Giulio's relationship with food change significantly: he finds a certain peace when he eats, I don't know what got himI am relieved."

This experience was told by Claudia, 38 years old: when her son Giulio was taken care of by the DNA clinic in Umbertide, he was diagnosed with ARFid."It is a completely new declension of eating disorders (more precisely, the prevention of food intake disorders), included in 2013 in the DSM-5 psychiatric diagnostic manual (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders) and still little known," explained Laura Dallasor, regional director of Ragione's network. of the Bio-Medico Campus of the University of Rome."People who are affected eat a narrow range of foods, usually less than 10. The disorder can appear at any age, but it is more common in childhood and adolescence and affects 60% of men and 40% of women, the reverse compared to the general trend of eating disorders, which always sees the predominance of women. It is estimated that there are 300 people affected who cannot be treated seriously. correctly.

When childhood food choices are no longer "normal."

La professoressa Dalla Ragione chiarisce che se fino ai 4 anni è normale una certa selettività nell’alimentazione e una grande diffidenza verso i cibi che non si conoscono tanto da parlare di neofobia, dopo i 4 anni la persistenza e la perentorietà di tale atteggiamento deve destare più di una preoccupazione. «Oggi a manifestare ARFId sono anche adolescenti e giovani adulti e la ricerca clinica è focalizzata sull’indagare quali siano le ragioni che “spingono” alcuni ad una eccessiva selezione degli alimenti. In molti casi si tratta di Disturbi selettivi trascurati nell’infanzia, ma in altri ci si trova di fronte a veri e propri esordi tardivi con caratteristiche molto severe», racconta la professoressa Dalla Ragione che è anche Past President SIRIDAP - Società Italiana Riabilitazione Disturbi del Comportamento Alimentare e del Peso. «La selezione può riguardare il colore, la consistenza, il sapore, la temperatura di ciò che c’è in tavola. Chi ha una diagnosi di ARFId ha un vero e proprio terrore per il cibo: ha paura di non digerire, di soffocare oppure semplicemente ha timore della consistenza, dell’odore e del gusto dell’alimento incriminato. Le persone con ARFId hanno tratti di personalità particolari: come la presenza di ansia, di sintomi gastro-intestinali e di allergie». Queste condizioni a loro volta li portano a limitare l’assunzione degli alimenti, con la convinzione che siano la causa dei loro malesseri. «In linea generale è così, ma non sempre come nel caso di Giulio», chiarisce Dalla Ragione che è anche autrice del libro Le mani in pasta (Il pensiero scientifico editore) nel quale descrive proprio come riconoscere e approcciarsi al disturbo selettivo dell’alimentazione nella prima infanzia e nell’adolescenza.

As the introduction to the book states, children - and sometimes not only - build prisons, impenetrable cages to protect themselves from dangers invisible but terrifying to adults.Within those spaces, children begin to exclude different types of food, until they eat too little and put their lives at risk.More often than you might imagine, when faced with a random event or trauma, the first way a child expresses pain or fear to themselves and the world is through denial and food choices.This book explains: it also tells the story of the experience of the DCA center in Umbertide, USL 1 public service in Umbria, which has created a special path for this disorder that welcomes children like Giulio.

The importance of raising awareness

The National Lilac Bow Day was first promoted in 2012 by the Mi Nutro di Vita Association thanks to the will of Stefano Tavilla, a father who lost his daughter Giulia on March 15, at the age of 17, due to bulimia.EDNOS and many other new formats.

"In Italy alone in 2025, there were 3,563 deaths due to diseases related to eating disorders, which are now the main cause of death among teenagers after traffic accidents. The causes of death are related to medical complications and high rates of suicide. The death statistics are increasing, but very unevenly throughout the region: more people die in regions that have special structures," Dalla explained that in regions that do not have a special structure.of the National DCA Toll-Free Number of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers."The network of multidisciplinary clinics in Italy represents an important step in the way of patient care, but it is still present in a very uneven way throughout Italy."

Eating disorders free SOS number

In Italy, the SOS eating disorders toll-free number is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 9pm.This helpline provides a listening and guidance space for anyone with an eating disorder.You can contact and communicate with DCA completely anonymously.Use the map of Italian specialist centers displayed on the DNA Help website www.piattaformadisturbialimentari.iss.it

According to the census of the DCA map of the Higher Institute of Health, there are 150 such centers: 120 belong to the National Health Service, 30 are accredited private sector centers.Today, more than ever, DCA has many different facets: it is no longer just anorexia and bulimia.events related to nutrition, such as bad experiences with certain foods or situations, obsessions, and unreasonable fears."

Pink Bow Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness and awareness: “DCA sufferers should know that they can be cured, but trust in specialized centers is crucial in the treatment process and seeking help should begin as soon as possible.”“We shouldn’t believe that with a little good will everything will be fine,” emphasizes decision-making professor Dalla Ragione: “We have to intervene as quickly as possible.”You shouldn't be afraid to ask for help: unfortunately, there is a real epidemic underway and it involves eating disorders.If there is even the slightest doubt, it is necessary to contact the nearest specialist center.”