Trends In Eating Disorders Research

The abundance of food in the developed countries of the world has seemingly spawned an epidemic of disorders connected to the food. Extremes such as intensive concern about one's body image and total disregard for it have resulted in countries which contain enormous segments of the population who are either obese and proud of it or bordering on anorexia nervosa. This new book gathers state-of-the-art research from leading scientists throughout the world which offers important information on understanding the underlying causes and discovering the most effective treatments for eating disorders.

The abundance of food in the developed countries of the world has seemingly spawned an epidemic of disorders connected to the food. Extremes such as intensive concern about one's body image and total disregard for it have resulted in countries which contain enormous segments of the population who are either obese and proud of it or bordering on anorexia nervosa. This new book gathers state-of-the-art research from leading scientists throughout the world which offers important information on understanding the underlying causes and discovering the most effective treatments for eating disorders.

Abstract: Recent research developments in the field of anorexia nervosa are presented in this comprehensive volume of scientific papers by researchers in basic science, psychology, and psychiatry. The pathogenesis of anorexia nervosa is overviewed, including familial issues, sociocultural factors, body image disturbance, and the psychological typology of anorexia nervosa. A section examining biological factors in anorexia nervosa reports on results of experiments using animal models, on studies of endocrine alterations in anorexia nervosa, and on endocrine and menstrual responses to weight change. Treatment issues that are examined include 1) the nonlinearity of weight gain and nutrition intake in anorexia nervosa, 2) the effects of anorexia nervosa in delaying or preventing puberty, 3) medical consequences of starvation, 4) drugs and behavior therapy in anorexia nervosa, 5) provisional ideas about the psychologic structure in anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and 6) methodological issues in a study of family therapy in anorexia nervosa. A preliminary report is presented on the long-term prognosis for anorexia nervosa. This volume is designed for use by researchers and clinicians in psychiatry, psychology, pathology, nutrition, social work, endocrinology, pharmacology, gynecology, gastroenterology, and physiology. (aje).

In a detailed analysis of the field of eating problems and disorders, this book highlights the connections between the prevention of eating problems and disorders, and theory and research in the areas of prevention and health promotion. It also looks at models of risk development and prevention, specific issues and challenges, the status of current prevention research, and lessons for prevention program development. In this unique text Levine and Smolak draw on a range of interdisciplinary perspectives, including prevention science, developmental psychology, public health, and neuroscience, to provide a thorough review, history, and critique of the topic in light of a range of empirical studies. The only authored volume with a broad, detailed and integrated view of theories, research, and practice, this expanded, fully revised, and updated new edition features new chapters on dissonance-based approaches, public health, biopsychiatry and neuroscience, gender, culture(s), technology, obesity, protective factors, and ecological approaches. The Prevention of Eating Problems and Eating Disorders: Theories, Research, and Applications is essential reading for clinicians, academics, researchers, graduate students, upper-level undergraduates, and activists and advocates involved in work pertaining to eating disorders, disordered eating, prevention, health promotion, body image, obesity and biopsychosocial perspectives.

Boys and men with eating disorders remain a population that is under-recognized and underserved within both research and clinical contexts. It has been well documented that boys and men with eating disorders often exhibit distinct clinical presentations with regard to core cognitive (e.g., body image) and behavioral (e.g., pathological exercise) symptoms. Such differences, along with the greater likelihood of muscularity-oriented disordered eating among boys and men, emphasize the importance of understanding and recognizing unique factors of clinical relevance within this population. This book reviews the most up-to-date research findings on eating disorders among boys and men, with an emphasis on clinically salient information across multiple domains. Five sections are included, with the first focused on a historical overview and the unique nature and prevalence of specific forms of eating disorder symptoms and body image concerns in boys and men. The second section details population-specific considerations for the diagnosis and assessment of eating disorders, body image concerns, and muscle dysmorphia in boys and men. The third section identifies unique concerns regarding medical complications and care in this population, including medical complications of appearance and performance-enhancing substances. The fourth section reviews current findings and considerations for eating disorder prevention and intervention for boys and men. The fifth section of the book focuses on specific populations (e.g., sexual minorities, gender minorities) and addresses sociocultural factors of particular relevance for eating disorders in boys and men (e.g., racial and ethnic considerations, cross-cultural considerations). The book then concludes with a concise overview of key takeaways and a focused summary of current evidence gaps and unanswered questions, as well as directions for future research. Written by experts in the field, Eating Disorders in Boys and Men is a comprehensive guide to an under-reported topic. It is an excellent resource for primary care physicians, adolescent medicine physicians, pediatricians, psychologists, clinical social workers, and any other professional conducting research with or providing clinical care for boys and men with eating disorders. It is also an excellent resource for students, residents, fellows, and trainees across various disciplines.

“After decades of research on dysfunctional eating and lack of physical activity, research attention has finally turned to the role of digital technology in eating behaviors and eating disorders. This timely volume offers a thoughtful and wide collection of chapters discussing the possible effects of digital technologies, from those enhancing healthy eating behaviors to those that encourage disordered eating. Highly recommended for both professionals and scholars.” Prof. Giuseppe Riva, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan, Italy. This book examines in depth the multifaceted roles of digital technologies in the eating behaviors and eating disorders. Coverage reflects a broad theoretical and empirical knowledge of current trends in digital technology use in health behaviors, and their risks and benefits affecting wellbeing, with focus on eating behaviors and eating disorders. The authors use both qualitative and quantitative data to focus on the digital lived experiences of people and their eating related behaviors. Among the topics covered: The quality of eating-oriented information online Technology, body image, and disordered eating Eating-oriented online groups Using mobile technology in eating behaviors Usage of digital technology among people with eating disorders What healthcare professionals should know about digital technologies and eating disorders Technology-based prevention and treatment programs for eating disorders A potential source of discussion and debate in various fields across the social sciences, the health sciences, and psychology, Digital Technology, Eating Behaviors, and Eating Disorders will be especially useful to students, academics, researchers, and professionals working in the fields of eating behaviors and eating disorders.

This title contains foreword by Eric Van Furth, President, American Academy of Eating Disorders. This guide draws together the latest developments in eating disorders. Together with its companion volume "Annual Review of Eating Disorders Part 2", this resource covers the twenty key topics including binge eating, trauma, self-help, assessment and negative body image. It is a compilation of reviews from leading scientists and clinicians, and is the essential update for busy professionals and health researchers, with a clear emphasis on clinical implications. It also provides invaluable information for psychologists, psychiatrists, dieticians, family doctors, pediatricians, counsellors and educators. 'Very important. Successful. Well respected. Comprehensive. Appropriate for all clinicians, researchers, and trainees who work in the area of eating disorders. A great reference for those needing direction on the current available treatments.' - Shiela M Dowd, PhD, Rush University Medical Center, Illinois, USA. 'Presents information in manageable chunks which are easy to digest. Research is clearly linked to clinical practice. Easy to read. Helpful. Comprehensive. A valuable resource for new as well as experienced clinicians.' - Primary Care and Community Psychiatry. "Last year's Review was very well received, by researchers and clinicians alike, and I am confident that the same will be true this year. Keeping track of the latest developments in the research on eating disorders is a major challenge for all of us. The abundant information that is now available via journals, online reference web sites, university databases, and individualized e-alerts can be so overwhelming that it is difficult to see the forest trough the trees. Integrating results from various sources and translating these findings into day-to-day clinical practice is not easily done. The "Annual Review" truly is the best way to stay up to date!" - Eric F van Furth, in the Foreword.

This is the first authored volume to offer a detailed, integrated analysis of the field of eating problems and disorders with theory, research, and practical experience from community and developmental psychology, public health, psychiatry, and dietetics. The book highlights connections between the prevention of eating problems and disorders and theory and research in the areas of prevention and health promotion; theoretical models of risk development and prevention (e.g., developmental psychopathology, social cognitive theory, feminist theory, ecological approaches); and related research on the prevention of smoking and alcohol use. It is the most comprehensive book available on the study of prevention programs, especially for children and adolescents. The authors review the spectrum of eating problems and disorders, the related risk and protective factors, the models that have guided prevention efforts to date, the literature on the studies of prevention, and suggestions for curriculum and program development and evaluation. The book concludes with a new prevention program based on the Feminist Ecological Developmental model. The 800 + references highlight work done around the world. The Prevention of Eating Problems and Eating Disorders addresses: * methodologies for assessing and establishing prevention; * the implications of neuroscience for prevention; * dramatic increases in the incidence of obesity; * the role of boys, men, and the media on body image; * prevention programming for minority groups; and * whether to focus on primary or secondary prevention. Intended for clinicians and academicians from disciplines such as health, clinical, developmental, and community psychology; social work; medicine; and public health; this book is also an ideal text for advanced courses on eating disorders.