What the Research Says: ARFID, Genetics and Neurodiversity with Dr Sam Chawner

This week on the Full of Beans podcast, Han is joined by Dr Sam Chawner, a senior research fellow at Cardiff University.

Sam's research explores the complex links between eating disorders, genetics, neurodiversity and mental health, with a focus on groups who have historically been overlooked in research and clinical practice. His work looks at ARFID (avoidant restrictive food intake disorder) , and he is involved in the NHS Wales ARFID Steering Group and the EDGI (Eating Disorder Genetics Initiative) study, working alongside Beat, and those with lived experience to shape the future of ARFID research and care.

In this episode, we explore:

• The links between eating disorders, genetics and neurodiversity
• Why ARFID is still so misunderstood
• The different types of ARFID, including the four subtypes
• The overlap between ARFID and neurodivergence
• What the first ARFID twin study found
• The gaps in ARFID treatment research
• The EDGI study, and how families can take part

Connect with Us:

• Subscribe to the Full of Beans Podcast
• Follow Full of Beans on Instagram
• Check out our website
• Listen on YouTube
• Connect with Sam on LinkedIn
• Find out more about ARFID here
• Find out more about EDGI study here

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of eating disorders, ARFID, restrictive eating, and fears around choking and vomiting. Please take care while listening.

Thank you to @Nightingale Hospital for sponsoring the podcast.