Pub Date : 2026-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102073
Julia A Fitzpatrick, Jennifer J Tickle, Laura G Rubino, Victoria Franco, Eric Stice
The Body Project is an established eating disorder prevention program that targets key risk factors such as thin-ideal internalization and body dissatisfaction. Virtual delivery of the Body Project, if effective, could help improve access. Systematic and personal barriers, such as geographic location and limited availability of services, contribute to disparities in access to eating disorder prevention programs. The present study randomly assigned participants (N = 69; mean 21.7 years; 83% cisgender women) to receive the Body Project in either in-person (n = 33) or virtual (n = 36) groups. We conducted mixed effects models to assess pre-to-posttest changes in thin ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, negative affect, dietary restraint, and eating disorder symptoms. Both modalities produced large effect sizes in reduction of thin-ideal internalization and body dissatisfaction; medium to large effect sizes for reductions in dietary restraint; small to medium effect sizes for reduction in eating disorder symptoms; and in the virtual condition, there was a medium effect for reduction in negative affect. There were no significant differences in the magnitude of reduction between conditions. The average within-condition effect size across all measures was 0.58 for in-person Body Project groups and 0.70 for virtual Body Project groups. These findings suggest that the virtual delivery of the Body Project is as comparatively effective in reducing key risk factors and eating disorder symptoms as an in-person administration. Results support further research into the effectiveness and dissemination of the Body Project delivered virtually.
{"title":"The Body Project: Comparing the effectiveness of in-person versus virtual delivery of this group intervention.","authors":"Julia A Fitzpatrick, Jennifer J Tickle, Laura G Rubino, Victoria Franco, Eric Stice","doi":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102073","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102073","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Body Project is an established eating disorder prevention program that targets key risk factors such as thin-ideal internalization and body dissatisfaction. Virtual delivery of the Body Project, if effective, could help improve access. Systematic and personal barriers, such as geographic location and limited availability of services, contribute to disparities in access to eating disorder prevention programs. The present study randomly assigned participants (N = 69; mean 21.7 years; 83% cisgender women) to receive the Body Project in either in-person (n = 33) or virtual (n = 36) groups. We conducted mixed effects models to assess pre-to-posttest changes in thin ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, negative affect, dietary restraint, and eating disorder symptoms. Both modalities produced large effect sizes in reduction of thin-ideal internalization and body dissatisfaction; medium to large effect sizes for reductions in dietary restraint; small to medium effect sizes for reduction in eating disorder symptoms; and in the virtual condition, there was a medium effect for reduction in negative affect. There were no significant differences in the magnitude of reduction between conditions. The average within-condition effect size across all measures was 0.58 for in-person Body Project groups and 0.70 for virtual Body Project groups. These findings suggest that the virtual delivery of the Body Project is as comparatively effective in reducing key risk factors and eating disorder symptoms as an in-person administration. Results support further research into the effectiveness and dissemination of the Body Project delivered virtually.</p>","PeriodicalId":11476,"journal":{"name":"Eating behaviors","volume":"60 ","pages":"102073"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146137338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-02-03DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102072
Hakan Öğütlü, Uğur Tekeoğlu, Fiona McNicholas
Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are complex psychiatric conditions that often remain undetected in school settings. School counselors (SCs), as frontline observers, may play an important role in early recognition and referral. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a training program designed to support SCs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding EDs in Türkiye.
Methods: Data were obtained from forty-nine SCs from Erzincan, Türkiye, who had previously provided baseline data (T0) and participated in a longitudinal study with two additional assessment time points: post-training (T1) and three-month follow-up (T2). The training consisted of a full-day, primarily didactic seminar incorporating clinical vignettes. Participants' recognition knowledge, referral preferences, attitudes, and stigma levels were assessed using a structured, study-specific questionnaire.
Results: The training led to a short-term increase in preference for hospital-based referral (T0: 61%, T1: 83%, p = .005), but this effect diminished at follow-up (T2: 67%). Knowledge about anorexia nervosa also improved post-training but declined significantly by T2. No significant changes were observed in correct diagnostic recognition, referral to a psychiatrist, or most attitudinal measures. Total stigma scores increased immediately after training (T0: 30.7, T1: 34.1, p < .001), partially decreasing at follow-up.
Conclusion: A didactic, vignette-based training program was associated with temporary changes in selected knowledge domains and referral preferences, but these effects were not sustained. The absence of improvement in diagnostic recognition and the short-term increase in stigma highlight the limitations of brief, information-focused approaches. Future studies may explore whether more interactive, empathy-focused, and repeated training formats are associated with more durable and balanced outcomes.
{"title":"More than just awareness: Longitudinal evaluation of an eating disorders training program for school counselors.","authors":"Hakan Öğütlü, Uğur Tekeoğlu, Fiona McNicholas","doi":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102072","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102072","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Eating disorders (EDs) are complex psychiatric conditions that often remain undetected in school settings. School counselors (SCs), as frontline observers, may play an important role in early recognition and referral. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a training program designed to support SCs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding EDs in Türkiye.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were obtained from forty-nine SCs from Erzincan, Türkiye, who had previously provided baseline data (T0) and participated in a longitudinal study with two additional assessment time points: post-training (T1) and three-month follow-up (T2). The training consisted of a full-day, primarily didactic seminar incorporating clinical vignettes. Participants' recognition knowledge, referral preferences, attitudes, and stigma levels were assessed using a structured, study-specific questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The training led to a short-term increase in preference for hospital-based referral (T0: 61%, T1: 83%, p = .005), but this effect diminished at follow-up (T2: 67%). Knowledge about anorexia nervosa also improved post-training but declined significantly by T2. No significant changes were observed in correct diagnostic recognition, referral to a psychiatrist, or most attitudinal measures. Total stigma scores increased immediately after training (T0: 30.7, T1: 34.1, p < .001), partially decreasing at follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A didactic, vignette-based training program was associated with temporary changes in selected knowledge domains and referral preferences, but these effects were not sustained. The absence of improvement in diagnostic recognition and the short-term increase in stigma highlight the limitations of brief, information-focused approaches. Future studies may explore whether more interactive, empathy-focused, and repeated training formats are associated with more durable and balanced outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":11476,"journal":{"name":"Eating behaviors","volume":"60 ","pages":"102072"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-02-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146137400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102067
Juliette Casgrain , Pressila Njeim , Guy Hajj-Boutros , Antony D. Karelis
Background
Disordered eating behaviours (DEBs) are common among young adult women and increase the risk of developing eating disorders. Intuitive eating (IE), a weight-inclusive model emphasizing responsiveness to internal cues (e.g., hunger and satiety signals) and self-compassion, has emerged as a promising approach, but evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remains limited. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of an IE intervention on intuitive eating, DEBs, and dietary quality in young women.
Methods
In this parallel-group RCT, 106 physically active women (18–35 years) with at least one DEB were randomized to an 8-week group-based IE intervention (N = 53) or wait-list control (N = 53). Weekly sessions were delivered virtually by registered dietitians. Outcomes included IE (IES-2), DEBs (EDE-Q global and Restraint scores, frequency of binge eating, loss-of-control eating, purging, and compensatory exercise), and dietary quality (short Healthy Eating Index).
Results
The intervention significantly improved IE global scores. DEBs decreased significantly, with reductions in global EDE-Q and Restraint scores and in the frequency of binge eating, loss-of-control eating, purging, and compensatory exercise. Dietary quality remained unchanged. Retention was high (89 %), and participants reported very high satisfaction towards the intervention and facilitators (mean score 9.6/10).
Conclusions
This study provides evidence that an IE intervention could meaningfully increase IE and reduce DEBs in young adult women across a wide BMI range. Findings support IE's feasibility, acceptability, and potential as a weight-inclusive strategy for prevention and health promotion.
{"title":"Effect of an intuitive eating intervention on disordered eating behaviours and dietary quality in young adult Canadian women: A randomized controlled trial","authors":"Juliette Casgrain , Pressila Njeim , Guy Hajj-Boutros , Antony D. Karelis","doi":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102067","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102067","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Disordered eating behaviours (DEBs) are common among young adult women and increase the risk of developing eating disorders. Intuitive eating (IE), a weight-inclusive model emphasizing responsiveness to internal cues (e.g., hunger and satiety signals) and self-compassion, has emerged as a promising approach, but evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remains limited. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of an IE intervention on intuitive eating, DEBs, and dietary quality in young women.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>In this parallel-group RCT, 106 physically active women (18–35 years) with at least one DEB were randomized to an 8-week group-based IE intervention (<em>N</em> = 53) or wait-list control (<em>N</em> = 53). Weekly sessions were delivered virtually by registered dietitians. Outcomes included IE (IES-2), DEBs (EDE-Q global and Restraint scores, frequency of binge eating, loss-of-control eating, purging, and compensatory exercise), and dietary quality (short Healthy Eating Index).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The intervention significantly improved IE global scores. DEBs decreased significantly, with reductions in global EDE-Q and Restraint scores and in the frequency of binge eating, loss-of-control eating, purging, and compensatory exercise. Dietary quality remained unchanged. Retention was high (89 %), and participants reported very high satisfaction towards the intervention and facilitators (mean score 9.6/10).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study provides evidence that an IE intervention could meaningfully increase IE and reduce DEBs in young adult women across a wide BMI range. Findings support IE's feasibility, acceptability, and potential as a weight-inclusive strategy for prevention and health promotion.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11476,"journal":{"name":"Eating behaviors","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 102067"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145920719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102069
Sareena Shah , Riya Ramakrishnan , Sahana Nayak , Sophia Krish , Selina Xi , Eric Stice
Eating disorder onset peaks during adolescence, and only 20 % of impacted individuals receive treatment, making prevention in high schools, colleges, and universities a public health priority. The Body Project is the leading evidence-based eating disorder prevention program, showing effectiveness across delivery modalities (peer vs. clinician-led, in-person vs. virtual) and diverse populations. This selective prevention program targets high-risk adolescent girls/women experiencing body image concerns. Over 350 colleges and universities have adopted the Body Project, yet high school implementation is limited. To our knowledge, no papers have examined the most effective strategies for implementing the Body Project in high schools, colleges, and university settings. Co-authored by high school and college peer educators with a Body Project developer, this guide outlines best practices for Body Project implementation by drawing upon existing academic literature, experiences piloting the program in high schools, and collaborations with partners to expand usage in colleges and universities. Findings suggest the most effective strategies include working with community partners, including clubs and peer educator programs, school counselors and clinicians, and community wellness hubs, such as nonprofits. Mission alignment and internal champion identification support implementation. Bottom-up processes (e.g., pilot trials or “super group” formation) or top-down processes (e.g., garnering support from school district administrators) can facilitate broad-scale implementation. Facilitator training is achieved through a train-the-trainer (TTT) model or self-training via the Body Project website. Future research should explore Body Project implementation in hospitals, TTT model feasibility in high schools, and increasing Body Project adoption in high-risk cohorts.
{"title":"Implementing the Body Project eating disorder prevention program in high schools, colleges, and universities: An implementation guide","authors":"Sareena Shah , Riya Ramakrishnan , Sahana Nayak , Sophia Krish , Selina Xi , Eric Stice","doi":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102069","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102069","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Eating disorder onset peaks during adolescence, and only 20 % of impacted individuals receive treatment, making prevention in high schools, colleges, and universities a public health priority. The <em>Body Project</em> is the leading evidence-based eating disorder prevention program, showing effectiveness across delivery modalities (peer vs. clinician-led, in-person vs. virtual) and diverse populations. This selective prevention program targets high-risk adolescent girls/women experiencing body image concerns. Over 350 colleges and universities have adopted the <em>Body Project</em>, yet high school implementation is limited. To our knowledge, no papers have examined the most effective strategies for implementing the <em>Body Project</em> in high schools, colleges, and university settings. Co-authored by high school and college peer educators with a <em>Body Project</em> developer, this guide outlines best practices for <em>Body Project</em> implementation by drawing upon existing academic literature, experiences piloting the program in high schools, and collaborations with partners to expand usage in colleges and universities. Findings suggest the most effective strategies include working with community partners, including clubs and peer educator programs, school counselors and clinicians, and community wellness hubs, such as nonprofits. Mission alignment and internal champion identification support implementation. Bottom-up processes (e.g., pilot trials or “super group” formation) or top-down processes (e.g., garnering support from school district administrators) can facilitate broad-scale implementation. Facilitator training is achieved through a train-the-trainer (TTT) model or self-training via the <em>Body Project</em> website. Future research should explore <em>Body Project</em> implementation in hospitals, TTT model feasibility in high schools, and increasing <em>Body Project</em> adoption in high-risk cohorts.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11476,"journal":{"name":"Eating behaviors","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 102069"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145972959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102070
Sarah E. Arbit , Alexandra C. Kirsch , Lauren Nowakowski , Margaret F. Meagher , Alexander N. Karl , Abigail L. Blum , Mark Assink , Colleen S. Conley
Rates of eating disorders are on the rise among young people, and there is growing concern about the ability of existing treatment options to meet the evolving needs of this population. This underscores the urgent need to evaluate (a) the current state of the literature, and (b) the effectiveness of interventions tailored to adolescents and young adults (AYAs), a population uniquely vulnerable to the onset and chronic progression of untreated eating disorders. This paper presents a systematic and meta-analytic review of psychological (non-biological/pharmacological) interventions compared to control conditions for eating disorders (EDs) in AYAs. A systematic search was conducted in PsycInfo, PubMed, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses for studies published between January 1980 and March 2024. Supplemented by various other search methods, we identified 53 interventions, contained within 41 reports, yielding an overall sample size of 3140. Studies were evaluated using elements of the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Analyses were conducted using three-level, random effects models. Results indicated that, compared to controls, interventions targeting anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and a blend of ED diagnoses among AYAs were effective for a range of ED outcomes, with maintenance of effects at follow-up: Hedges' g across interventions targeting AN = 0.202 (0.051; 0.352), BN = 0.467 (0.241; 0.693), BED = 0.601 (0.294; 0.908), and a blend of diagnoses = 0.378 (0.111; 0.644). Programs targeting BN and multiple diagnoses were similarly effective for non-ED outcomes. Differential effects emerged for the type of control condition such that interventions were most effective when compared to no intervention or waitlist controls. There was no moderating effect for type of outcome, duration of diagnosis, age, use of technology, duration of intervention, duration of follow-up, publication year, or risk of bias. Evidence is limited by the small number of studies and sample sizes within each ED diagnosis, and points to the need for development and refinement of existing interventions. Clinical implications and recommendations for future research on eating disorder interventions for AYAs are highlighted. This study was registered with Open Science Foundation (osf.io/wc6m7) and funded by internal research grants from Loyola University Chicago.
年轻人中饮食失调的发病率正在上升，人们越来越担心现有的治疗方案能否满足这一人群不断变化的需求。这强调了迫切需要评估(a)文献的现状，以及(b)针对青少年和年轻人（AYAs）的干预措施的有效性，青少年和年轻人是一个特别容易发生未经治疗的饮食失调和慢性进展的人群。本文介绍了心理（非生物/药物）干预与对照条件对青少年饮食失调（EDs）的系统和荟萃分析综述。对1980年1月至2024年3月期间发表的论文在PsycInfo、PubMed和ProQuest论文和论文中进行了系统检索。通过各种其他搜索方法的补充，我们确定了41份报告中包含的53项干预措施，总样本量为3140。使用Cochrane偏倚风险工具的要素对研究进行评估。采用三水平随机效应模型进行分析。结果表明，与对照组相比，针对神经性厌食症（AN）、神经性贪食症（BN）、暴食症（BED）和混合ED诊断的干预措施对一系列ED结果有效，并在随访中保持效果：针对AN的干预措施的hedge ' g = 0.202 (0.051; 0.352), BN = 0.467 (0.241; 0.693), BED = 0.601(0.294; 0.908)，混合诊断= 0.378（0.111;0.644）。针对BN和多重诊断的方案对非ed结果同样有效。不同类型的控制条件产生了不同的影响，例如干预与不干预或等候名单对照相比最有效。结果类型、诊断持续时间、年龄、技术使用、干预持续时间、随访持续时间、发表年份或偏倚风险没有调节作用。每个ED诊断的研究数量和样本量有限，证据表明需要发展和改进现有的干预措施。强调了对青少年饮食失调干预的临床意义和未来研究的建议。本研究已在开放科学基金会注册（osf.io/wc6m7），由芝加哥洛约拉大学内部研究资助。
{"title":"Eating disorder treatment programs compared to controls for adolescents and young adults: Systematic review and three-level meta-analyses","authors":"Sarah E. Arbit , Alexandra C. Kirsch , Lauren Nowakowski , Margaret F. Meagher , Alexander N. Karl , Abigail L. Blum , Mark Assink , Colleen S. Conley","doi":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102070","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102070","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rates of eating disorders are on the rise among young people, and there is growing concern about the ability of existing treatment options to meet the evolving needs of this population. This underscores the urgent need to evaluate (a) the current state of the literature, and (b) the effectiveness of interventions tailored to adolescents and young adults (AYAs), a population uniquely vulnerable to the onset and chronic progression of untreated eating disorders. This paper presents a systematic and meta-analytic review of psychological (non-biological/pharmacological) interventions compared to control conditions for eating disorders (EDs) in AYAs. A systematic search was conducted in PsycInfo, PubMed, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses for studies published between January 1980 and March 2024. Supplemented by various other search methods, we identified 53 interventions, contained within 41 reports, yielding an overall sample size of 3140. Studies were evaluated using elements of the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Analyses were conducted using three-level, random effects models. Results indicated that, compared to controls, interventions targeting anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and a blend of ED diagnoses among AYAs were effective for a range of ED outcomes, with maintenance of effects at follow-up: Hedges' <em>g</em> across interventions targeting AN = 0.202 (0.051; 0.352), BN = 0.467 (0.241; 0.693), BED = 0.601 (0.294; 0.908), and a blend of diagnoses = 0.378 (0.111; 0.644). Programs targeting BN and multiple diagnoses were similarly effective for non-ED outcomes. Differential effects emerged for the type of control condition such that interventions were most effective when compared to no intervention or waitlist controls. There was no moderating effect for type of outcome, duration of diagnosis, age, use of technology, duration of intervention, duration of follow-up, publication year, or risk of bias. Evidence is limited by the small number of studies and sample sizes within each ED diagnosis, and points to the need for development and refinement of existing interventions. Clinical implications and recommendations for future research on eating disorder interventions for AYAs are highlighted. This study was registered with Open Science Foundation (osf.io/wc6m7) and funded by internal research grants from Loyola University Chicago.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11476,"journal":{"name":"Eating behaviors","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 102070"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146023066","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102068
Tyler B. Mason , Wei-Lin Wang , Shirlene D. Wang , Stephen S. Intille , Alexander J. Rothman , Donald Hedeker , Genevieve F. Dunton
Eating disorders (EDs) encompass maladaptive eating behaviors and body image concerns and often include unhealthy physical activity behaviors (e.g., driven and compulsive exercise). Despite exercise's potential health benefits, its driven pursuit may exacerbate ED symptoms. This study used latent profile analysis in a non-clinical sample of emerging adults to identify classes of ED symptoms and their associations with physical activity cognitions and motivations (e.g., self-efficacy, identity, self-regulatory efforts). Emerging adults completed a baseline questionnaire of ED symptoms and measures of physical activity cognitions and motivations. Latent profile analysis was run with ED symptoms as indicators, including body dissatisfaction, overvaluation, dietary restraint, binge-eating frequency, and driven exercise frequency. Extracted groups were then compared on physical activity cognitions and motivations. Four distinct groups were identified: recurrent binge-eating symptoms (RBE), cognitive ED symptoms (COG), driven exercise symptoms (DE), and low ED symptoms (LED). These groups exhibited varying patterns of physical activity cognitions and motivations, with the DE group showing elevated adaptive cognitions and motivations (e.g., self-efficacy, self-regulation) and strong physical activity identity. Both the DE and COG groups reported higher guilt and shame regarding not exercising and reinforcing self-regulatory efforts. The RBE group displayed lower amotivation and less self-regulation for physical activity, suggesting challenges in incorporating exercise into their routines. These findings highlight similar and different physical activity cognitions and motivations that may underlie varying ED presentations and highlight the need for tailored interventions to promote healthy physical activity behaviors among individuals with EDs.
{"title":"Eating disorder symptom profiles and physical activity cognitions and motivations among emerging adults with physical activity intentions","authors":"Tyler B. Mason , Wei-Lin Wang , Shirlene D. Wang , Stephen S. Intille , Alexander J. Rothman , Donald Hedeker , Genevieve F. Dunton","doi":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102068","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102068","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Eating disorders (EDs) encompass maladaptive eating behaviors and body image concerns and often include unhealthy physical activity behaviors (e.g., driven and compulsive exercise). Despite exercise's potential health benefits, its driven pursuit may exacerbate ED symptoms. This study used latent profile analysis in a non-clinical sample of emerging adults to identify classes of ED symptoms and their associations with physical activity cognitions and motivations (e.g., self-efficacy, identity, self-regulatory efforts). Emerging adults completed a baseline questionnaire of ED symptoms and measures of physical activity cognitions and motivations. Latent profile analysis was run with ED symptoms as indicators, including body dissatisfaction, overvaluation, dietary restraint, binge-eating frequency, and driven exercise frequency. Extracted groups were then compared on physical activity cognitions and motivations. Four distinct groups were identified: recurrent binge-eating symptoms (RBE), cognitive ED symptoms (COG), driven exercise symptoms (DE), and low ED symptoms (LED). These groups exhibited varying patterns of physical activity cognitions and motivations, with the DE group showing elevated adaptive cognitions and motivations (e.g., self-efficacy, self-regulation) and strong physical activity identity. Both the DE and COG groups reported higher guilt and shame regarding not exercising and reinforcing self-regulatory efforts. The RBE group displayed lower amotivation and less self-regulation for physical activity, suggesting challenges in incorporating exercise into their routines. These findings highlight similar and different physical activity cognitions and motivations that may underlie varying ED presentations and highlight the need for tailored interventions to promote healthy physical activity behaviors among individuals with EDs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11476,"journal":{"name":"Eating behaviors","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 102068"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145920791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102066
Anna L. Brichacek , James T. Neill , Kristen Murray , Elizabeth Rieger
Young people frequently experience body image threats, and how they cope with these has implications for eating behaviour. Responding flexibly to threats (i.e., openly experiencing negative body-related thoughts and feelings while connecting with a broader sense of self and personal values) may promote adaptive eating behaviours, whereas inflexibility (i.e., resisting uncomfortable experiences and disconnecting from important areas of life) could be detrimental. However, evidence for their roles in predicting intuitive eating is mixed, and research has yet to explore how disordered eating might alter such relationships. To address this gap, this study examined body image flexibility and inflexibility as predictors of intuitive eating components and explored whether eating disorder pathology moderated these relationships. Australian adolescents and emerging adults completed an online survey at two timepoints, Wave 1 (W1; N = 1035) and Wave 2 (W2; N = 351) five months later. Conditional process models indicated that W1 body image flexibility and inflexibility predicted higher and lower W2 reliance on internal eating cues, respectively, with inflexibility also predicting lower levels of W2 eating for physical reasons. Eating disorder pathology did not moderate these effects. Results support the benefits of flexible forms of responding to body image threats, such as by noticing and separating from negative thoughts and engaging in valued activities, instead of trying to avoid or reduce distress, to promote adaptive eating behaviour in young people including those with disordered eating. Future studies should examine the feasibility of integrating these coping strategies within eating disorder prevention and among clinical samples.
年轻人经常经历身体形象的威胁，他们如何应对这些威胁会影响他们的饮食行为。灵活地应对威胁（即，在与更广泛的自我和个人价值观联系的同时，公开地经历与身体有关的负面想法和感受）可能会促进适应性饮食行为，而缺乏灵活性（即，抵制不舒服的经历和脱离重要的生活领域）可能是有害的。然而，它们在预测直觉性饮食方面的作用的证据是混合的，研究还没有探索饮食失调如何改变这种关系。为了解决这一差距，本研究将身体形象的灵活性和不灵活性作为直觉饮食成分的预测因素，并探讨饮食失调病理是否会调节这些关系。5个月后，澳大利亚的青少年和初成人在两个时间点完成了一项在线调查，即第一波（W1; N = 1035）和第二波（W2; N = 351）。条件加工模型表明，W1身体形象的灵活性和不灵活性分别预测了更高和更低的W2对内部饮食线索的依赖，而不灵活性也预测了身体原因导致的较低的W2饮食水平。饮食失调病理并没有缓和这些影响。研究结果支持了灵活应对身体形象威胁的好处，比如注意并远离负面思想，参与有价值的活动，而不是试图避免或减少痛苦，从而促进年轻人（包括饮食失调的年轻人）的适应性饮食行为。未来的研究应该检查将这些应对策略整合到饮食失调预防和临床样本中的可行性。
{"title":"Body image flexibility and inflexibility predict intuitive eating: A prospective study in adolescents and emerging adults","authors":"Anna L. Brichacek , James T. Neill , Kristen Murray , Elizabeth Rieger","doi":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102066","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102066","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Young people frequently experience body image threats, and how they cope with these has implications for eating behaviour. Responding flexibly to threats (i.e., openly experiencing negative body-related thoughts and feelings while connecting with a broader sense of self and personal values) may promote adaptive eating behaviours, whereas inflexibility (i.e., resisting uncomfortable experiences and disconnecting from important areas of life) could be detrimental. However, evidence for their roles in predicting intuitive eating is mixed, and research has yet to explore how disordered eating might alter such relationships. To address this gap, this study examined body image flexibility and inflexibility as predictors of intuitive eating components and explored whether eating disorder pathology moderated these relationships. Australian adolescents and emerging adults completed an online survey at two timepoints, Wave 1 (W1; <em>N</em> = 1035) and Wave 2 (W2; <em>N</em> = 351) five months later. Conditional process models indicated that W1 body image flexibility and inflexibility predicted higher and lower W2 reliance on internal eating cues, respectively, with inflexibility also predicting lower levels of W2 eating for physical reasons. Eating disorder pathology did not moderate these effects. Results support the benefits of flexible forms of responding to body image threats, such as by noticing and separating from negative thoughts and engaging in valued activities, instead of trying to avoid or reduce distress, to promote adaptive eating behaviour in young people including those with disordered eating. Future studies should examine the feasibility of integrating these coping strategies within eating disorder prevention and among clinical samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11476,"journal":{"name":"Eating behaviors","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 102066"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145920792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102071
Francantonio Devoto , Carol Coricelli , Margaux Girati , Laura Zapparoli
Online Food Delivery (OFD) services have grown rapidly in popularity, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. While these platforms offer substantial convenience, their association with the increased consumption of energy-dense foods has raised public health concerns. To date, research on OFD use has focused on sociodemographic or lifestyle factors, with relatively little attention given to psychological determinants.
The present study addressed this gap by examining whether individual differences in eating styles - emotional, external, and restrained eating - predict OFD use beyond basic sociodemographic variables, and whether these effects interact with body mass index (BMI).
Eighty-one adult participants completed an online survey assessing OFD use patterns and eating styles using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analyses tested the incremental predictive value of sociodemographics, eating styles, and eating style × BMI interactions in predicting OFD use.
Results indicated that people who identified as female and individuals with higher BMI reported more frequent use of OFD. Notably, emotional eating emerged as a significant positive predictor of OFD use, even after adjusting for sociodemographic variables and other eating styles. External and restrained eating was unrelated to OFD behavior. Eating styles did not interact with BMI in predicting OFD use.
These findings highlight emotional eating as a key psychological driver of OFD use, suggesting that emotional eaters may rely on such platforms as a coping mechanism for emotional distress. Future research should consider the role of state-level variables and explore potential associations between different eating styles and categories of food ordered.
{"title":"A few clicks away: Emotional eating, but not external and restrained eating, predicts online food delivery use","authors":"Francantonio Devoto , Carol Coricelli , Margaux Girati , Laura Zapparoli","doi":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102071","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2026.102071","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Online Food Delivery (OFD) services have grown rapidly in popularity, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. While these platforms offer substantial convenience, their association with the increased consumption of energy-dense foods has raised public health concerns. To date, research on OFD use has focused on sociodemographic or lifestyle factors, with relatively little attention given to psychological determinants.</div><div>The present study addressed this gap by examining whether individual differences in eating styles - emotional, external, and restrained eating - predict OFD use beyond basic sociodemographic variables, and whether these effects interact with body mass index (BMI).</div><div>Eighty-one adult participants completed an online survey assessing OFD use patterns and eating styles using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analyses tested the incremental predictive value of sociodemographics, eating styles, and eating style × BMI interactions in predicting OFD use.</div><div>Results indicated that people who identified as female and individuals with higher BMI reported more frequent use of OFD. Notably, emotional eating emerged as a significant positive predictor of OFD use, even after adjusting for sociodemographic variables and other eating styles. External and restrained eating was unrelated to OFD behavior. Eating styles did not interact with BMI in predicting OFD use.</div><div>These findings highlight emotional eating as a key psychological driver of OFD use, suggesting that emotional eaters may rely on such platforms as a coping mechanism for emotional distress. Future research should consider the role of state-level variables and explore potential associations between different eating styles and categories of food ordered.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11476,"journal":{"name":"Eating behaviors","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 102071"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146074110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-03DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102065
Merel Lelieveld , Alexandra E. Dingemans , Margarita C.T. Slof-Op ’t Landt
Objective
Micronutrients are essential for physiological functioning, and deficiencies may lead to adverse health outcomes. As micronutrient intake depends entirely on dietary consumption, individuals with eating disorders (EDs) are particularly vulnerable to developing deficiencies. Although numerous studies have investigated micronutrient status in individuals with EDs, findings remain inconsistent, sample sizes are often limited, and most research has focused primarily on anorexia nervosa (AN). This observational cross-sectional study aimed to examine micronutrient levels in blood across multiple ED subtypes and compare these findings with a healthy control group.
Methods
Micronutrient levels (vitamin B1, B6, B12, D, folic acid and magnesium) were assessed in 157 patients (60 with AN, 26 with bulimia nervosa [BN], 28 with binge-eating disorder [BED] and 43 with other specified feeding or eating disorder [OSFED]) who started treatment between 2017 and 2018 and 66 controls (matched on sex, age and education level). Levels were compared between the five groups (oneway ANOVA, post-hoc Games-Howell test).
Results
Patients with BED had significantly lower folic acid levels compared to controls as well as patients with AN, BN and OSFED. No significant group differences were observed for any other micronutrient.
Discussion
This study showed that BED was associated with folic acid deficiency. Furthermore, it underscores the potential value of monitoring micronutrient status across all ED subtypes. Given the crucial role of micronutrients in human health, further research involving diverse ED populations, robust control groups, and larger sample sizes is essential to identify consistent patterns and prevent potential health complications associated with EDs.
{"title":"Micronutrient status among patients diagnosed with eating disorders","authors":"Merel Lelieveld , Alexandra E. Dingemans , Margarita C.T. Slof-Op ’t Landt","doi":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102065","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102065","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>Micronutrients are essential for physiological functioning, and deficiencies may lead to adverse health outcomes. As micronutrient intake depends entirely on dietary consumption, individuals with eating disorders (EDs) are particularly vulnerable to developing deficiencies. Although numerous studies have investigated micronutrient status in individuals with EDs, findings remain inconsistent, sample sizes are often limited, and most research has focused primarily on anorexia nervosa (AN). This observational cross-sectional study aimed to examine micronutrient levels in blood across multiple ED subtypes and compare these findings with a healthy control group.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Micronutrient levels (vitamin B1, B6, B12, D, folic acid and magnesium) were assessed in 157 patients (60 with AN, 26 with bulimia nervosa [BN], 28 with binge-eating disorder [BED] and 43 with other specified feeding or eating disorder [OSFED]) who started treatment between 2017 and 2018 and 66 controls (matched on sex, age and education level). Levels were compared between the five groups (oneway ANOVA, post-hoc Games-Howell test).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Patients with BED had significantly lower folic acid levels compared to controls as well as patients with AN, BN and OSFED. No significant group differences were observed for any other micronutrient.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>This study showed that BED was associated with folic acid deficiency. Furthermore, it underscores the potential value of monitoring micronutrient status across all ED subtypes. Given the crucial role of micronutrients in human health, further research involving diverse ED populations, robust control groups, and larger sample sizes is essential to identify consistent patterns and prevent potential health complications associated with EDs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11476,"journal":{"name":"Eating behaviors","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 102065"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-12-02DOI: 10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102062
Taryn Henning , Taylor Vashro , Karly Derrigo , Drew Parton , Marisol Perez , Suzanne E. Mazzeo
Background
Empirical findings support the association between acculturative stress and eating pathology, however, relatively few studies have examined mechanisms of this link among racially and ethnically diverse men. The current study addressed these gaps by examining the potential roles of thin-, and muscular-ideal internalization and body dissatisfaction as mediators of the relation between acculturative stress and eating pathology among Asian, Black, and Latino men.
Methods
Adult men from across the United States (Asian N = 110; Black N = 117; Latino N = 85) completed measures of acculturative stress, body ideals, body dissatisfaction, and eating pathology. Analyses investigated the mediating roles of body image ideal internalization (thin-, muscular-) and body dissatisfaction as mediators of the relation between acculturative stress and eating pathology across each racial and ethnic group.
Results
Results identified a significant association between acculturative stress and eating pathology among Asian, Black, and Latino men. In addition, across all groups, thin-ideal internalization mediated the relation between acculturative stress and eating pathology. However, body dissatisfaction and muscular-ideal internalization did not mediate the relation between acculturative stress and eating pathology among any of the groups.
Conclusion
Findings highlight the importance of acculturative stress, thin-ideal internalization, and their associations with eating pathology among racially and ethnically diverse men. Future research should examine within-group differences across racial and ethnic subgroups to further enhance understanding of culturally specific risk factors.
{"title":"Associations among acculturative stress, body ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction and eating pathology among Asian, Black, and Latino men","authors":"Taryn Henning , Taylor Vashro , Karly Derrigo , Drew Parton , Marisol Perez , Suzanne E. Mazzeo","doi":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102062","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.102062","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Empirical findings support the association between acculturative stress and eating pathology, however, relatively few studies have examined mechanisms of this link among racially and ethnically diverse men. The current study addressed these gaps by examining the potential roles of thin-, and muscular-ideal internalization and body dissatisfaction as mediators of the relation between acculturative stress and eating pathology among Asian, Black, and Latino men.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Adult men from across the United States (Asian <em>N</em> = 110; Black <em>N</em> = 117; Latino <em>N</em> = 85) completed measures of acculturative stress, body ideals, body dissatisfaction, and eating pathology. Analyses investigated the mediating roles of body image ideal internalization (thin-, muscular-) and body dissatisfaction as mediators of the relation between acculturative stress and eating pathology across each racial and ethnic group.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Results identified a significant association between acculturative stress and eating pathology among Asian, Black, and Latino men. In addition, across all groups, thin-ideal internalization mediated the relation between acculturative stress and eating pathology. However, body dissatisfaction and muscular-ideal internalization did not mediate the relation between acculturative stress and eating pathology among any of the groups.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Findings highlight the importance of acculturative stress, thin-ideal internalization, and their associations with eating pathology among racially and ethnically diverse men. Future research should examine within-group differences across racial and ethnic subgroups to further enhance understanding of culturally specific risk factors.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":11476,"journal":{"name":"Eating behaviors","volume":"60 ","pages":"Article 102062"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2025-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145682685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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