Men reacted particularly strongly to a drive for muscularity. Much has been made of the negative effects of social media sites, particularly those that promote the “thin ideal.” In a recent study, exposure to body-positive imagery on social media was beneficial to young adult men and women alike. Body-positive images, or those that depict “normal” individuals of varying weights, improved overall body satisfaction and reduced concerns about weight among young adult men and women (Acta Psychologica. 2024. 243:104126; published online before publication). Drs. Fabio Fasoli, of the University of S ..read more

Living with two conditions that exacerbate each other The incidence of binge eating among those with type 2 diabetes (T2D) is high: a recent estimate is that up to 25% of people with T2D also binge eat. An unfortunate cycle of compensating for binge eating results when patients restrict their intake, which often only leads to more binge eating. Danish researchers led by Dr. Pil Lindgreen at Steno Diabetes Center, Herlev, Denmark, and colleagues at Aarhus University, Copenhagen, and Kingâ€s College, London, designed a study to follow patients with T2D and binge eating. The 20 final participants ..read more

A bill that targets nutrition services. A bill was introduced in Congress on January 11 would amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide medical nutrition therapy for individuals with eating disorders. Currently Medicare provides some, but not comprehensive care for the estimated 28,800,000 people in the US with eating disorders. The services would be provided under the Medicare program. US Representative Judy Chu, of California, introduced the bill. The Nutrition Counseling Aiding Recovery for Eating Disorders Act of 2024, or the “Nutrition CARE Act of 2024,” would enable eating ..read more

A Swedish study identifies distinct characteristics in 5 groups. Pregnancy and early motherhood are times of increased risk for women with eating disorders. For example, women who experience persistent eating disorder symptoms during pregnancy and the early postpartum period tend to have greater depression and anxiety. Postpartum depression also seems to occur more often in women who currently have or have had an eating disorder in the past (Psychol Med. 2007. 37:1109). A better understanding of the trajectories or paths women with eating disorders experience during pregnancy and the early pos ..read more

Q. I suspect that my autistic patient may have an eating disorder, based on her irregular eating behaviors. Is this unusual? (G.B., Houston, TX) A. The combination of autism/Asperger’s syndrome (ASD) and eating disorders may be more common than we think. In a recent study, for example, almost a fourth of the participants (23.55%) with ASD scored above the cutoff of the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), which pointed to the need for further assessment by a specialized clinician (Eat Weight Disord. 2024. 29:10). Research over the past decade has made the connection between autism and eating di ..read more

A positive path to recovery? As plant-based and vegan diets have become increasingly popular, clinicians have become concerned about the role of these diets in restrictive eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia nervosa. Would the restriction of meat and meat byproducts interfere with recovery? A plant-based diet is not synonymous with a vegan diet. This dietary pattern emphasizes plant foods but can include some animal foods (just like the Western diet).Vegetarianism or a vegan diet restricts eating meat, including red meat, poultry, seafood, insects, and the flesh of any other animal ..read more

Highlights of iaedp Symposium 2024 Plus: “Food Rules” and Binge Eating Exposure Therapy in Anorexia Nervosa How Chronic Health Conditions Affect Eating Disorders in Young Patients Sleep Disorders in Anorexia Nervosa Patients And much more… The post In the Next Issue appeared first on Eating Disorders Review ..read more

Policy changes may affect access to services. Gaining access to treatment for eating disorders may take years, or may not happen at all. Many obstacles stand in the way, including geography, cost, and lack of insurance coverage. Recently, the results of a global study propose ways to improve access to treatment for patients, and to increase early intervention. A team led by Karina L. Allen, from the Eating Disorders Outpatient Department at Maudsley Hospital, London, have proposed a series of policy changes and services to help improve early intervention for eating disorders (Eur Eat Disord&nb ..read more

With the July/August issue, Eating Disorders Review will celebrate its 34th year in publication. The focus of the first issue in 1990 was addressing the controversy over pharmacotherapy versus individual psychotherapy. Dr. James Mitchell’s lead article addressed that very topic. Dr. Mitchell argued that the best treatment was the one that answered the question: Which therapy or combination of therapies works best for the patient? This question remains today, as clinicians continue to investigate novel approaches to diagnosis and treatment. One current controversy involves decisions about tre ..read more

Dr. Cheri Levinson and colleagues at the University of Louisville were recently awarded a $11.5 million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Levinson, associate professor at the University of Louisville College of Arts and Sciences, and Director of the Eating Anxiety Treatment (EAT) Lab at the University of Louisville, was also awarded the NIH Directorâ€TMs New Innovation Award. The President of the University added that this was the most well-funded research in the University of Louisvilleâ€TMs history. The first study will examine eating disorders among children 6 to 1 ..read more