Eating Disorders In Adolescents Research Articles

Binge eating, social media disorder and attachment in adolescence: Gender differences in the mediating role of alexithymia

IntroductionThere is a need for research investigating factors accounting for binge eating (BE) and social media disorder (SMD) in adolescence. ObjectiveDespite studies suggesting the role of both attachment and alexithymia in these disorders, there has been no investigation into the mediating role of alexithymia in the pathways linking the different types of attachment relationships to both BE and SMD. MethodsA total of 423 Italian adolescents (32.2% males, Mage=16.88) completed self-report questionnaires investigating attachment, alexithymia, binge eating, and social media disorder levels. Hypotheses were tested with Structural Equation Modelling including multigroup analyses. ResultsAlmost all the variables showed relationships with each other. BE was explained by attachment to the mother and peers in both genders, but the mediating effect of alexithymia was significant only among girls. SMD was explained only by attachment to peers among boys but by attachment to the parents among girls. Moreover, among girls, the role of attachment to the father in SMD was fully mediated by alexithymia levels. ConclusionsAttachment and alexithymia are two explaining variables associated with BE and SMD in adolescence. However, differentiating between attachment relationships appears crucial to reaching a nuanced understanding of the dynamics underlying both BE and SMD.

Predictors of treatment outcome in higher levels of care among a large sample of adolescents with heterogeneous eating disorders

BackgroundDespite widespread use of higher levels of care in treating eating disorders in adolescents, research supporting the use of these treatments remains limited by small sample sizes and a predominant focus on anorexia nervosa. Further, existing data regarding predictors of outcome have yielded mixed findings. In the current study, we evaluated treatment outcomes and predictors of outcome among a large sample of adolescents with eating disorders presenting to inpatient, residential, partial hospitalization programs, and intensive outpatient programs across the United States.MethodsAdolescents (N = 1,971) completed self-report measures of eating disorder symptoms, depression, and anxiety at treatment admission, stepdown, and discharge. Using linear mixed effect models, we evaluated changes in symptoms over treatment separately among youth admitted to inpatient/residential treatment and those admitted to partial hospitalization/intensive outpatient programs, and used established metrics to gauge frequency of reliable (i.e., statistically reliable) and clinically significant change.ResultsResults suggested decreases in eating disorder symptoms, depression, and anxiety from intake to discharge. Around 50% of the sample reported reliable decreases in eating disorder symptoms at stepdown and discharge, with 30% of the sample reporting reliable reductions in depression and anxiety. Psychiatric comorbidity, primary diagnosis, age, and eating disorder symptoms at admission consistently predicted treatment-related change, although patterns in findings varied across symptoms.ConclusionsData from our sample are consistent with past work suggesting that adolescents enrolled in higher levels of care report clinical benefit; however, these effects are heterogenous, and a significant portion of individuals may not report reliable change in symptoms. Ultimately, ongoing work is required to better understand how and for whom higher levels of care may achieve their benefit and to identify the optimal approach for improving outcomes for adolescents with eating disorders.

Mapping eating disorders in adolescents and young adults: an investigation of geographic distribution and access to care in Ontario, Canada

BackgroundThere is limited research on the spatial distribution of eating disorders and the proximity to available eating disorder services. Therefore, this study investigates the distribution of eating disorders among adolescents and young adults in Ontario, Canada, with a specific focus on geographic disparities and access to publicly-funded specialized eating disorder services.MethodsA community sample of 1,377 adolescents and young adults ages 16–30 across Ontario between November and December 2021 participated in this study and completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, we mapped the geographic prevalence of eating disorders and examined proximity to specialized eating disorder services. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were utilized to determine the association between geographic region and eating disorder symptomatology. Additionally, t-tests were utilized to examine differences between time/distance to specialized services and clinical risk for eating disorders.ResultsApplying geospatial analysis techniques, we detected significant spatial clusters denoting higher eating disorder scores in rural areas and areas with fewer specialized services. Likewise, our findings report disparities between rural and urban areas, suggesting that rural regions exhibit elevated rates of eating disorders. There were no associations between distance/time to services and eating disorder symptomology.ConclusionsThe discrepancies in eating disorder symptomology between urban/rural may stem from stigma and unique socio-cultural contexts in rural communities. The study underscores the need for targeted intervention, including telehealth, in addressing the eating disorder challenges faced by adolescents and young adults in rural regions.

Hospital Admissions for Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents in Spain: A Population-Based Study.

Limited evidence exists regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the onset and trajectory of eating disorders (EDs) among young in Spain. This study aims to analyze the characteristics and recent trends in hospital admissions for EDs within the pediatric population. A retrospective analysis was conducted on hospital admissions for EDs among patients aged 10-19 years between 2016 and 2022. The main outcomes examined included hospital rates (overall, stratified by ED type and age group), psychiatric comorbidities, and length of stay. A total of 8275 hospitalizations due to EDs were identified, constituting 1 in 6 hospital admissions for mental illness and behavioral disorders. Predominant characteristics of this population included female sex (93%), aged 15-19 years (58.3%), admission primarily for anorexia nervosa (71.6%), and psychiatric comorbidity (35.6%). Hospital admissions for EDs in the pediatric population showed an increasing trend, with an annual average increase of 11.1% (95% CI: 2.6, 22.6). This rise was led by children aged 10-14 years, with a yearly increase in EDs hospitalization rates of 28.4% (95% CI: 13.5, 56.3) since 2019. Each discharge related to EDs was associated with a median stay of 24 days (IQR: 10, 40). Efforts in community healthcare should prioritize early detection and intervention for symptoms indicative of EDs in the pediatric population, aiming to mitigate the severity of cases requiring hospitalization. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted health planning policies to address the growing burden of EDs among Spanish youth.

Family therapy and cognitive behavior therapy for eating disorders in children and adolescents in routine clinical care: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Family therapy for eating disorders (ED) is well-established and represents the treatment choice for ED in children and adolescents according to guidelines, with cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as a second line treatment. There is limited knowledge about how these treatments work in routine clinical care. The goal of the present meta-analysis is to investigate the effectiveness of family therapy and CBT for various EDs in children and adolescents when carried out in routine clinical care. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase OVID, and PsycINFO were searched for articles published until December 2023. The outcome of family therapy and CBT, methodological quality, risk of bias, and moderators of treatment outcome were examined and benchmarked by meta-analytically comparing with ED efficacy studies. Forty-four effectiveness studies comprising 3251 family therapy or CBT patients were included. Large to very large within-group effect sizes (ES) were found for ED-psychopathology (0.80) and weight measures for AN (1.64) at post treatment. The attrition rate was 15%. Risk of bias was considerable. Moderate to large ES were found for family therapy and CBT, respectively. The benchmarking analysis showed that effectiveness studies had comparable ESs to efficacy studies (0.80 and 0.84 for the ED-psychopathology at post treatment). The findings support family therapy and CBT for ED in children and adolescents as effective treatments when delivered in routine clinical care, with effects comparable with those found in efficacy studies. The evidence needs to be interpreted with caution because of the risk of bias in a high proportion of studies.PROSPERO [CRD42023441794].

Symptoms of Depression, Eating Disorders, and Binge Eating in Adolescents With Obesity

Depression and eating disorders are heightened for adolescents with obesity. Clinical reviews alongside self-report questionnaires are important to ensure appropriate intervention. To evaluate changes in self-report symptoms of depression, eating disorders, and binge eating in adolescents with obesity during the Fast Track to Health trial. This was a randomized clinical trial conducted from 2018 to 2023. It was a multisite trial conducted at children's hospitals in Sydney, New South Wales, and Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, and included adolescents (13-17 years) with obesity (defined as adult equivalent body mass index ≥30; calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) and 1 or more related complications. Duration was 52 weeks including a very low energy diet for 4 weeks followed by intermittent energy restriction (IER) or continuous energy restriction (CER). Self-report symptoms of depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised 10-Item Version for Adolescents [CESDR-10]; scores 0-30), eating disorders (Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire [EDE-Q]; scores 0-6), and binge eating (Binge Eating Scale [BES]; scores 0-46) were assessed. Adolescents were screened for depression and eating disorders (weeks 0, 4, 16, and 52) and monitored for the onset of new symptoms of disordered eating during dietetic consults. Of 141 adolescents (median [IQR] age, 14.8 [12.9-17.9] years; 71 male [50.4%]) enrolled, median baseline EDE-Q score was 2.28 (IQR, 1.43-3.14), median baseline CESDR-10 score was 9.00 (IQR, 4.00-14.50), and median baseline BES score was 11.00 (IQR, 5.00-17.00). There were no differences between groups for change in CESDR-10 (mean difference at week 52, 0.75; 95% CI, -1.86 to 3.37), EDE-Q (mean difference at week 52, 0.02; 95% CI, -0.41 to 0.45), or BES (mean difference at week 52, -2.91; 95% CI, -5.87 to 0.05). The within-group reductions at week 4 were maintained at week 52, for CESDR-10 and EDE-Q, indicating reduced symptoms of depression and eating disorders. Within-group reductions on the BES were maintained in the IER group only. Seventeen adolescents (12.1%) required support or referral for depression and/or disordered eating, including 7 (5%; 5 IER, 2 CER) adolescents who experienced the onset or reemergence of symptoms during the intervention. Results suggest that many treatment-seeking adolescents with obesity self-reported symptoms of depression and eating disorders. Although symptoms reduced for most, some required additional support. Obesity treatment is an opportune time to screen and monitor for depression and disordered eating. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12617001630303.

Partnerships with primary care providers: Opportunities to prevent eating disorders and mitigate their progression in young people

ABSTRACT Epidemiologic research has identified numerous interpersonal and individual risk factors for and warning signs of emerging eating disorders in adolescents. These findings have informed public health prevention and treatment strategies, including translation of findings to clinical recommendations for primary care providers (PCPs). A next step in this translational work could include a comprehensive approach where PCPs are seen as partners in efforts to improve population health outcomes. PCPs have great potential to implement high-yield interventions that prevent or attenuate the course of adolescent eating disorders. To illustrate this potential, we present a case that highlights missed opportunities for a PCP to prevent, detect, and intervene during a patient’s developing eating disorder. We then relate the case to two emerging research programs that utilize PCP partnerships: one trains PCPs in Strengths-Based Adolescent Healthcare to improve eating disorder prevention; the other adapts Family-Based Treatment for primary care to improve early access to evidence-based treatment. In addition to these promising areas of research, efforts are needed to widen requirements for eating disorder curricula in medical training programs and to address weight stigma in primary care. Together these efforts will help PCPs become effective partners in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.

Disorders in Disguise: Proposed Clinical Competencies in Eating Disorders for All Child and Adolescent Mental Health Providers

Early detection and treatment of child and adolescent eating disorders is strongly linked to positive outcomes and can be achieved by recognizing the diverse and often concealed ways in which these conditions commonly present within mental health care settings. In particular, eating disorders are frequently disguised by the appearance of more familiar presenting problems, such as symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotion or behavioral dysregulation. As a primer for child and adolescent mental health therapists seeking to provide efficient and effective treatment to young patients who may be presenting for mental health care with an undetected eating disorder, we present six cases of patients from differing child and adolescent mental health settings who presented for the treatment of psychiatric symptoms that ultimately were related to an eating disorder. In each case, the detection and treatment of an underlying eating disorder was paramount to improving the presenting problems. Within this context, we discuss key concepts and basic clinical competencies in child and adolescent eating disorders that are essential for all mental health providers, including those who do not consider eating disorder treatment as within their scope of practice.

The role of actual-ideal weight discrepancy in the relationships between perfectionism, self-esteem, self-compassion and eating pathology in adolescents with eating disorders

Understanding factors associated with adolescent eating disorders is important for improving treatment outcomes. Actual-ideal weight discrepancy refers to the discrepancy between actual weight and the ideal weight an individual wants to achieve. Actual-ideal weight discrepancy is associated with poorer treatment outcome in eating disorders. It is important to understand factors associated with weight discrepancy to identify targets for treatment to improve outcomes. The aim of this study was to examine self-related constructs associated with actual-ideal weight discrepancy. The specific aim was to determine if perfectionism, self-esteem, and self-compassion contribute to eating disorder symptoms in adolescents, both independently, and through the mediating pathway of actual-ideal weight discrepancy. Participants comprised 114 female adolescents, aged 12–17 years with an eating disorder (40% anorexia nervosa, 33% atypical anorexia nervosa, 16% bulimia nervosa, 5% other specified and 5% unspecified feeding and eating disorders). Higher actual-ideal weight discrepancy, higher perfectionism, lower self-esteem, and lower self-compassion were associated with greater eating disorder symptoms. When the predictors of perfectionism, self-esteem, and self-compassion were included together in a path model predicting eating disorder symptoms, the model explained 59% of variance, and self-esteem and actual-ideal weight discrepancy were the only significant predictors of eating disorder symptoms. Lower self-esteem predicted greater eating disorder symptoms directly and through the mediator of actual-ideal weight discrepancy.

Clinical Intervention Strategies and Family Dynamics in Adolescent Eating Disorders: A Scoping Review for Enhancing Early Detection and Outcomes.

Background: This systematic review investigated the impact of familial factors on individuals aged 10-17 who have clinical signs or symptoms of eating disorders. Simultaneously, it scrutinized the involvement of the family in therapy, as well as other forms of intervention. Methods: The PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus databases were used to search for research material comprehensively. After applying specific criteria, 46 articles were deemed suitable and included in the systematic review. The study comprised a cohort of 4794 adolescents who received a diagnosis of either Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), or Binge-Eating Disorder (BED). In addition, controls were utilized for 1187 adolescents, 1563 parents, 1809 siblings, and 11 other relatives. Results: The connection between family factors and eating disorders is primarily determined by the families' level of functioning, satisfaction with the family dynamic, parents' attitudes toward their children, and the role of food within the family system. Family Therapy was the most used psychotherapeutic approach in the treatment of AN. The incidence of reports in BN closely paralleled that of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) models. Articles about (Enhanced) CBT were exclusively associated with BED. Conclusions: Family-based approaches are crucial in comprehending, preventing, and addressing eating disorders in adolescents. Incorporating the study of family dynamics and actively engaging families in the treatment process can significantly enhance recovery rates and decrease the occurrence of relapses.

Narrative Therapy Expressive Art Group Interventions for Adolescents with Eating Disorders in Residential Treatment

ABSTRACT Eating disorders continue to impact youth at staggering rates, with 13.2% of adolescents meeting DSM-5 criteria for an eating disorder by age 20. Integrating narrative therapy expressive art interventions with the healing power of group can meet the layered developmental needs of adolescents battling anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, or nonspecific eating disorders. This conceptual manuscript pulls from literature on expressive arts, adolescent eating disorders, group counseling, and residential treatment considerations using a narrative therapy theoretical approach. Expressive art interventions appropriate for serving adolescents with eating disorders in a residential treatment setting are provided.

Adolescent leisure-time physical activity and eating disorders: a longitudinal population-based twin study

PurposeHigh levels of physical activity have been documented in eating disorder patients. Our aim was to examine whether adolescent leisure-time physical activity is prospectively associated with eating disorders in adolescence and young adulthood.MethodsFinnish twins born in 1983–1987 reported their physical activity frequency at ages 12, 14, and 17. A subsample of participants underwent structured, retrospective interviews for eating disorders at the mean age of 22.4 years. Associations between female twins’ physical activity and future eating disorders (571–683 twins/wave) were investigated with the Cox proportional hazards model. To illustrate the physical activity similarity of the co-twins in a twin pair, we used cross-tabulation of eating disorder–discordant twin pairs (13–24 pairs/wave).ResultsAfter adjusting for several covariates, we found no statistically significant longitudinal association between physical activity and eating disorders. This applied when all eating disorders were combined but also when assessed separately as restrictive and non-restrictive eating disorders. Co-twins’ physical activity in adolescence tended to be similar irrespective of their future eating disorder, supporting the results of the regression analysis.ConclusionWe observed no evidence of adolescent physical activity frequency being prospectively associated with eating disorders in female twins. Further longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes and more detailed physical activity data are needed.Level of evidence: III, evidence obtained from cohort or case–control analytic studies.

Reimagining care: effectiveness of modifying an adolescent eating disorder intensive service.

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a surge in adolescent eating disorders and rapid changes in the delivery of intensive community treatments. This study investigates the modification from a group-based day programme to an intensive family treatment approach. A retrospective chart review was performed on data from 190 patients who accessed the intensive service for anorexia nervosa in the past 6 years. Outcomes from the traditional model were compared with the new intensive family model, namely length of admission, percentage median body mass index difference and transfers to in-patient services. There was a significant reduction in the length of intensive treatment (from 143.19 to 97.20 days). The number of transfers to specialist eating disorder in-patient services also significantly reduced, and is decreasing year on year. The findings hold particular relevance as intensive services for adolescent eating disorders continue to be established within health services, with no clear unified approach to treatment.

A prospective observational study examining weight and psychosocial change in adolescent and adult eating disorder inpatients admitted for nutritional rehabilitation using a high-energy re-feeding protocol

BackgroundHigh-energy re-feeding protocols are increasingly utilised for nutritional rehabilitation in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN), however, concern persists that adults with AN may be at greater risk of developing complications. In addition, research on psychological outcomes of eating disorder (ED) inpatient treatment programs, and outcomes of high-energy protocols in avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and bulimia nervosa (BN), is limited. This study of an ED inpatient program using a high-energy protocol, compared changes in weight and psychosocial outcomes between adolescents and adults, and identified medical risk factors associated with deviation from the protocol.MethodThis prospective observational study took place in a voluntary ED treatment program in a private hospital. Weight, height, and psychosocial questionnaires (ED Examination-Questionnaire, Depression Anxiety Stress Score, Clinical Impairment Assessment and AN/BN Stage of Change) were collected from consenting adolescents (16–20 years) and adults (> 20 years) on admission and discharge. Medical tolerance to the high-energy protocol was assessed daily. Independent samples t-tests and paired samples t-tests were applied to normally distributed data, and Mann–Whitney U tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to skewed data. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant statistically.ResultsNinety-seven participants were recruited. The majority (n = 91, 94%) were female and most (n = 80, 83%) had AN. Forty-two (43%) were adolescents and 55 (57%) were adults. In participants with AN, weight change (Δ) was significant [median Δ 8.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 4.3) kg]. There was no difference in rate of weight change between adolescents and adults with AN [mean Δ 1.8 (standard deviation (SD) 0.5) kg/week vs. Δ 1.8 (SD 0.6) kg/week; p = 0.841, respectively]. One (1%) participant with AN did not tolerate the high-energy protocol due to oedema. Participants achieved positive change in psychosocial questionnaire scores (p < 0.001) after the the specialist ED program, with no difference between adolescents and adults (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThis voluntary ED treatment program using a high energy re-feeding protocol was effective in achieving positive weight and psychological change for adolescents and adults with minimal adverse events. This indicates that the specialist ED program has both nutritional and psychological benefits.

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)-Looking beyond the eating disorder lens?

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) was first included as a diagnostic category in 2013, and over the past 10years has been adopted by the international eating disorder community. While greater awareness of these difficulties has increased identification, demand and enabled advocacy for clinical services, the heterogeneous nature of ARFID poses unique challenges for eating disorder clinicians and researchers. This commentary aims to reflect on some of these challenges, focussing specifically on the risk of viewing ARFID through an eating disorder lens. This includes potential biases in the literature as most recent research has been conducted in specialist child and adolescent eating disorder clinic settings, bringing in to question the generalisability of findings to the broad spectrum of individuals affected by ARFID. We also consider whether viewing ARFID predominantly through an eating disorder lens risks us as a field being blinkered to the range of effective skills our multi-disciplinary feeding colleagues may bring. There are opportunities that may come with the eating disorder field navigating treatment pathways for ARFID, including more joined up working with multi-disciplinary colleagues, the ability to transfer skills used in ARFID treatment to individuals with eating disorder presentations, and most notably an opportunity to provide more effective treatment and service pathways for individuals with ARFID and their families. However, these opportunities will only be realised if eating disorder clinicians and researchers step out of their current silos.

The mediating effect of social support and body appreciation between child abuse and disordered eating symptoms among Lebanese adolescents

ObjectiveThe current study examines the mediating effect of social support and body appreciation between child abuse and disordered eating symptoms among Lebanese adolescents.MethodsThis study, involving 403 participants, was cross-sectional and conducted between August and September 2022. Lebanese adolescents from all of Lebanon’s governorates were recruited through the “Snowball Sampling” method. The measuring instruments composing the questionnaire included the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-7) which identifies the presence of risk for eating disorders based on eating-related attitudes, behaviors and feelings; the “Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)” which measures, from three separate sources, the extent of one’s perception of social support; the “Body Appreciation Scale (BAS)” which assesses the care and respect one has for their own body, along with the acceptance and protection of one’s body from unrealistic beauty ideals; and the “Child Abuse Self-Report Scale (CASRS-12)” which detects lifelong child abuse.ResultsParticipants’ mean age was 16.63 ± 1.46 years with 57.3% of females. The results highlight the effect of mediation of social support and body appreciation in the association between all types of child abuse and disordered eating symptoms. Additionally, a significant association was indicated between more abuse and lower social support and body appreciation, whereas another was underscored between higher social support and body appreciation and more appropriate eating attitudes. Lastly, all types of child abuse were observed to be notably associated with further inappropriate eating attitudes.ConclusionThe current mediation findings preliminarily indicate that experiences of all forms of child abuse may have possibly triggered perceived lack of social support and low levels of body appreciation, which have in turn resulted in more severe disordered eating symptoms in predisposed adolescents. This cautiously suggests that both social support and body appreciation may be regarded as key targets for community-based prevention and intervention strategies aiming at reducing the risk of developing severe eating disorders in adolescents.

The Role of the Dietitian within Family Therapy for Anorexia Nervosa (FT-AN): A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Clinician Perspectives.

Despite dietitians being important members of the multidisciplinary team delivering family therapy for anorexia nervosa (FT-AN), their specific responsibilities and roles are unclear and their involvement in the treatment can be a contentious issue. Clinicians (n = 20) experienced in the delivery of FT-AN who were working at a specialist child and adolescent eating disorder service responded to an online survey about their experience of including a dietitian in FT-AN and how they understand the role. Both categorical and open-ended questions were used. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative free-text responses of clinician perspectives on the role of the dietitian in FT-AN. All clinicians agreed that dietetics had a role within FT-AN and most frequently sought dietetic involvement in the early phases of FT-AN. Reflexive thematic analysis of responses identified three main themes. These were (1) collaboration is key, (2) confidence as a core consideration and (3) case-by-case approach. These themes evidenced the role of the dietitian within FT-AN and highlighted both the benefits and concerns of this involvement. This study demonstrated that dietitians can take a core role as collaborators within therapy-led teams that facilitate joint working and sharing of expertise. However, dietetic input should be considered on a case-by-case basis, given its potential for creating an over-focus on nutrition and potentially diminishing parental confidence in feeding. When indicated for selected cases, nutritional counselling should be offered in joint sessions with the therapist rather than separately. The findings of the study were limited by the small sample size of participants recruited from a single centre and heterogeneity in the professional background of respondents. Although the integration of dietetics within the multidisciplinary team and the ability of dietitians to individualise patient care can enhance FT-AN treatment, potential benefits and disbenefits should be considered for each case.

Prospective associations between early childhood parental feeding practices and eating disorder symptoms and disordered eating behaviors in adolescence.

Nonresponsive parental feeding practices are associated with poorer appetite self-regulation in children. It is unknown whether this relationship extends beyond childhood to be prospectively associated with the onset of eating disorder (ED) symptoms in adolescence. This exploratory study therefore investigated prospective associations between early childhood parental feeding practices and adolescent ED symptoms and disordered eating behaviors. Data were from two population-based cohorts with harmonized measures: Generation R (Netherlands; n = 4900) and Gemini (UK; n = 2094). Parents self-reported their pressure to eat, restriction and instrumental feeding (i.e., using food as a reward) at child age 4-5 years. Adolescents self-reported their compensatory behaviors (e.g., fasting, purging), binge-eating symptoms, restrained eating, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating at 12-14 years. Associations between feeding practices and ED symptoms were examined separately in each cohort using generalized linear models. In Gemini, pressure to eat in early childhood was associated with adolescents engaging in compensatory behaviors. In Generation R, parental restriction was associated with adolescents engaging in compensatory behaviors, restrained eating, uncontrolled eating, and emotional eating. Instrumental feeding was associated with uncontrolled eating and emotional eating in Generation R. Nonresponsive parental feeding practices were associated with a greater frequency of specific ED symptoms and disordered eating in adolescence, although effect sizes were small and findings were inconsistent between cohorts. Potentially, the cultural and developmental context in which child-parent feeding interactions occur is important for ED symptoms. Further replication studies are required to better understand parents' role in the development and maintenance of ED-related symptoms. Prospective research examining how early childhood parental feeding practices might contribute to adolescent ED symptoms is limited. In two population-based cohorts, nonresponsive feeding practices (restriction, instrumental feeding, pressure to eat) predicted increased frequency of some ED symptoms and disordered eating behaviors in adolescence, although associations were small and further replication is required. Findings support the promotion of responsive feeding practices, which may benefit young children's developing relationship with food.

Use of Social Media, Satisfaction with Body Image, and the Risk of Manifesting Eating Disorders

Eating disorders in adolescents are an increasingly important issue nowadays. Although they have been shown to be a pathology with multifactorial causes, the objective of our study is to determine the degree of influence that body dissatisfaction and the use of social media (time and type) might have on the risk of manifesting eating disorders. To perform this, the Sick Control One Fat Food scale was used as part of a randomized survey carried out among 12 schools in Almería (Spain). The sample consisted of 605 students in Compulsory Secondary Education between the ages of 12 and 17 years (M = 14.27; SD = 1.44), 48.42% female and 51.52% male. Cross-tabulation tables were constructed to observe the relationship of sex and age with the risk of manifesting EDs, and, subsequently, a two-factor ANOVA was performed using the risk of suffering from an eating disorder as a dependent variable. The results show that 29.3% of the respondents express an elevated risk of suffering from an eating disorder. There are no significant differences regarding sex, but there are differences regarding age. It was also observed that dissatisfaction with body image is a significant risk factor, but not the time that young people spend on social media. Furthermore, the type of content displayed on social media has a significant influence, both independently and together with body dissatisfaction. The main conclusion highlighted in this study relates to the importance of self-perceived body image (satisfaction and dissatisfaction) and its relationship with the type of content seen on social media. For this reason, it is essential to work on self-esteem at an early age as well as learn to value others and oneself beyond just the physical.

Lost in between-the transition process from a child and adolescent eating disorder service to adult mental health services in the German health care system.

In young adults with anorexia nervosa (AN), the process of transition from a child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) to an adult mental health service (AMHS) has been recognized as critical, and many patients fear falling through the gap between the two types of service. As reports about the transition process in emerging adults with AN are scarce, the present study aimed to explore the problems and experiences of this age group. We screened our registry for patients with AN who had been treated as inpatients during childhood and/or adolescence and come of age during the last 3years. Thirty-two female patients [mean age 20.3 (1.2) y.] agreed to participate in a semistructured personal or telephone interview assessing their demographic and clinical data, whether they had finalised the transition, and their wishes and experiences regarding the transition process. Only approximately one-third of the participants had already undergone the transition. Nearly 60% of the former patients were still cared for by a CAMHS, and only 12.5% had stopped treatment for AN. Approximately 60% were exclusively or additionally cared for by their general practitioner. More than 50% of the participants still lived with their parents. Approximately 90% of the participants who remained in a CAMHS expressed concerns about transitioning, mostly about losing their trusted therapist and the assumption of personal responsibility. Patients with AN often delay the transition from a CAMHS to an AMHS, which they experience as intimidating and overwhelming. Thus, patients should be better prepared for the transition, which should be linked to "developmental readiness" and not to chronological age. Because many patients still live with their family of origin, parents and their family physician should be closely involved in the transition process.