Five Decades of Eating Disorder Research: A Bibliometric Analysis of Publication Trends, Research Themes, and the Relationship Between Public and Academic Attention (1975–2024)

Abstract

Objective

This bibliometric study analyzed eating disorder research from 1975 to 2024, examining publication trends, research themes, and the relationship between public engagement and academic attention over five decades.

Methods

Data were collected from PubMed, Web of Science, APA PsycInfo, and CINAHL. Publication trends were analyzed, and leading journals were identified. Network analysis using VOSviewer identified thematic clusters, while a bump chart visualized changes in key research terms over time. Trends, associations, and influencing factors of public engagement and academic attention were assessed using Altmetric Attention Scores per Year (AASPY) and citations per year (CPY).

Results

A total of 101,993 publications were analyzed. Research output increased significantly, with the International Journal of Eating Disorders as the leading contributor. Six major research clusters were identified, and eight key terms (humans, female, anorexia nervosa, adult, adolescent, male, feeding and eating disorders, and child) remained dominant across all decades. AASPY and CPY increased over time but showed a weak correlation (R ² = 9.09%), suggesting that digital engagement was not strongly associated with scholarly attention. Studies on young adults and those published in multidisciplinary journals had higher online engagement, while research on female and young adult populations, as well as neuroscience, received greater academic attention.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the sustained growth of research output, the persistence of core thematic areas, and the divergence between public engagement and academic attention. By examining trends from past to present, this study provides a basis for understanding research developments and their implications for future directions in eating disorder research.