Eating disorders (EDs) have their onset most frequently in adolescence and young adulthood. Treatment for EDs lack efficacy, and we have made little progress in improving outcomes for patients over the course of the last several decades. As with other mental health conditions, early intervention may greatly improve outcomes, yet, little research exists in this area.
Conclusions
More effective evidence-based treatments are sorely needed for EDs, particularly for early stages of the illness to minimise the potential harms of treatment and long-standing illness. Treatment service models would also benefit from taking an approach that ensures continuation of care from adolescence to young adulthood.
De GirolamoGMcGorryPDSartoriusN. Age of onset of mental disorders: etiopathogenetic and treatment implications. Berlin, Germany: Springer2019.
2.
MicaliNHagbergKWPetersenI, et al.The incidence of eating disorders in the UK in 2000–2009: findings from the general practice research database. BMJ Open2013; 3: e002646. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-002646
3.
MitchisonDMondJBusseyK, et al.DSM-5 full syndrome, other specified, and unspecified eating disorders in Australian adolescents: prevalence and clinical significance. Psychol Med2020; 50: 981–990. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291719000898
4.
WilkschSMO’SheaAHoP, et al.The relationship between social media use and disordered eating in young adolescents. Int J Eat Disord2020; 53: 96–106. DOI: 10.1002/eat.23198
5.
Le GrangeDLoebKL. Early identification and treatment of eating disorders: prodrome to syndrome. Early Interv Psychiatry2007; 1: 27–39. DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-7893.2007.00007.x
6.
PhillipouAMusićSLee RossellS. A biopsychosocial proposal to progress the field of anorexia nervosa. Aust N Z J Psychiatry2019; 53: 1145–1147, DOI: 10.1177/0004867419849487
7.
EddyKTTabriNThomasJJ, et al.Recovery from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa at 22-year follow-up. J Clin Psychiatry2017; 78: 184–189.
8.
MurraySBQuintanaDSLoebKL, et al.Treatment outcomes for anorexia nervosa: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Psychol Med2019; 49: 535–544.
9.
SchaumbergKZerwasSGoodmanE, et al.Anxiety disorder symptoms at age 10 predict eating disorder symptoms and diagnoses in adolescence. J Child Psychol Psychiatry2019; 60: 686–696. DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12984
10.
RantaKVäänänenJFröjdS, et al.Social phobia, depression and eating disorders during middle adolescence: longitudinal associations and treatment seeking. Nord J Psychiatry2017; 71: 605–613. DOI: 10.1080/08039488.2017.1366548
11.
JacobiCFittigEBrysonSW, et al.Who is really at risk? identifying risk factors for subthreshold and full syndrome eating disorders in a high-risk sample. Psychol Med2011; 41: 1939–1949. DOI: 10.1017/S0033291710002631
12.
SticeEDesjardinsCDRohdeP, et al.Sequencing of symptom emergence in anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and purging disorder and relations of prodromal symptoms to future onset of these disorders. J Abnorm Psychol2021; 130: 377–387. DOI: 10.1037/abn0000666
13.
ChristianCPerkoVLVanzhulaIA, et al.Eating disorder core symptoms and symptom pathways across developmental stages: a network analysis. J Abnorm Psychol2020; 129: 177–190. DOI: 10.1037/abn0000477
14.
TreasureJSteinDMaguireS. Has the time come for a staging model to map the course of eating disorders from high risk to severe enduring illness? an examination of the evidence. Early Interv Psychiatry2015; 9: 173–184.
15.
SticeEOnipedeZAMartiCN. A meta-analytic review of trials that tested whether eating disorder prevention programs prevent eating disorder onset. Clin Psychol Rev2021; 87: 102046.
16.
PhillipouAMusićSRossellSL. Refeeding is not a treatment for the underlying symptoms of anorexia nervosa. Aust N Z J Psychiatry2020; 54: 755–756. DOI: 10.1177/0004867420924474
17.
RieneckeRD. Family-based treatment of eating disorders in adolescents: current insights. Adolesc Health Med Ther2017; 8: 69–79. DOI: 10.2147/AHMT.S115775
18.
LoebKLWeissmanRSMarcusS, et al.Family-based treatment for anorexia nervosa symptoms in high-risk youth: a partially-randomized preference-design study. Front Psychiatry2019; 10: 985. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00985
19.
FukutomiAAustinAMcClellandJ, et al.First episode rapid early intervention for eating disorders: a two-year follow-up. Early Interv Psychiatry2020; 14: 137–141. DOI: 10.1111/eip.12881
20.
McClellandJHodsollJBrownA, et al.A pilot evaluation of a novel first episode and rapid early intervention service for eating disorders (FREED). Eur Eat Disord Rev2018; 26: 129–140. DOI: 10.1002/erv.2579
21.
BurtonALHamiltonBIorfinoF, et al.Examining the prevalence of disordered eating in a cohort of young Australians presenting for mental health care at a headspace centre: results from a cross-sectional clinical survey study. BMJ Open2022; 12: e061734.
22.
IvancicLMaguireSMiskovic-WheatleyJ, et al.Prevalence and management of people with eating disorders presenting to primary care: a national study. Aust N Z J Psychiatry2021; 55: 1089–1100. DOI: 10.1177/0004867421998752
23.
MaguireSMaloneyD. The implementation of large-scale health system reform in identification, access and treatment of eating disorders in Australia. J Eat Disord2021; 9: 121–212.
