https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/eating_disorders/ Read the latest medical research on eating disorders and how to treat them. en-us Thu, 05 Jun 2025 10:03:17 EDT Thu, 05 Jun 2025 10:03:17 EDT 60 https://www.sciencedaily.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png https://www.sciencedaily.com/news/mind_brain/eating_disorders/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250327141725.htm The increasing number of people with eating disorders and a lack of national guidance for support teams has led to researchers calling for a new national strategy that includes specific guidance to support the remote delivery of eating disorder services. Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:17:25 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250327141725.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250313130751.htm New research shows that people with eating disorders are more harshly judged than those suffering from depression, making it much harder for them to seek treatment. Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:07:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250313130751.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250128221118.htm Calorie labels on restaurant menus are negatively impacting people with eating disorders, according to a new study. The review found that individuals who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder changed their behaviors if presented with a menu featuring calorie labels. Tue, 28 Jan 2025 22:11:18 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250128221118.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250127124445.htm A study showed that changes in the functioning of opioid neurotransmitters in the brain may underlie anorexia. Mon, 27 Jan 2025 12:44:45 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250127124445.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250110121915.htm More than half of 23-year-olds in a European study show restrictive, emotional or uncontrolled eating behaviors, according to new research. Structural brain differences appear to play a role in the development of these eating habits. Fri, 10 Jan 2025 12:19:15 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/01/250110121915.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240917125355.htm The process of food intake appears to be organized at the cellular level like a relay race: during eating, the baton is passed between different teams of neurons until we have consumed the appropriate amount of energy. Through this complex mechanism, the brain likely ensures that we neither eat too little nor too much. Malfunctions of this process may lead to eating disorders such as anorexia or binge eating. Tue, 17 Sep 2024 12:53:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240917125355.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812123238.htm Young children often display similar eating behavior as their parents, with a parent's own eating style influencing how they feed their children. Mon, 12 Aug 2024 12:32:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240812123238.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240606001349.htm Researchers have investigated the feasibility of a new home-administered treatment for binge eating disorder. The new treatment combines a gentle brain stimulation technique called transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) with a training program that targets unhelpful patterns of attention around food. Thu, 06 Jun 2024 00:13:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240606001349.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240528115018.htm New research finds that binge-eating disorder symptoms may persist longer than once believed, finding 61 percent and 45 percent of individuals still experienced binge-eating disorder 2.5 and 5 years after their initial diagnoses, respectively. Tue, 28 May 2024 11:50:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/05/240528115018.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240320122517.htm Psychologists have discovered a circuit in the brain of mice that makes them crave food and seek it out, even when they are not hungry. When stimulated, this cluster of cells propels mice to forage vigorously and to prefer fatty and pleasurable foods like chocolate over healthier foods like carrots. Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:25:17 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/03/240320122517.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240220203244.htm The study looked at survey data from 3,670 young people in the UK and the Netherlands to investigate how appetite traits in early childhood might relate to the likelihood of developing eating disorder symptoms up to 10 years later. The researchers found that a particularly high food responsiveness, defined as the urge to eat when you see, smell or taste palatable food, at the ages of four and five was linked to a higher likelihood of reporting a range of eating disorder symptoms at ages 12 to 14. Tue, 20 Feb 2024 20:32:44 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240220203244.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240213130405.htm New research examined how often people experiencing binge eating are also using cannabis recreationally, and whether patients who use cannabis experience more severe eating disorder symptoms or symptoms of struggling with mental health. Tue, 13 Feb 2024 13:04:05 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240213130405.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240104121825.htm New research indicates that the eating disorder anorexia nervosa is associated with being an early riser, unlike many other disorders that tend to be evening-based such as depression, binge eating disorder and schizophrenia. Thu, 04 Jan 2024 12:18:25 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/01/240104121825.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230405161354.htm Whether you're afraid of dogs, needles or enclosed spaces, one of the most effective interventions for this type of anxiety disorder is exposure therapy in which you confront your fear in a safe environment. A new study finds that exposure therapy is also a promising treatment for adolescents with eating disorders. They found that exposure to feared foods -- such as candy bars and pizza -- helped kids who were in a partial hospitalization program for eating disorders experience decreased anxiety toward food. Wed, 05 Apr 2023 16:13:54 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230405161354.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230118092038.htm Eating disorders are stereotypically associated with adolescents and young adults. Growing evidence, however, suggests that these conditions can occur at any time during a woman's lifespan, including at midlife. A new study finds that body dissatisfaction is a primary cause of eating disorders, especially during perimenopause. Wed, 18 Jan 2023 09:20:38 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/01/230118092038.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221212140621.htm Research has revealed how a pathway in the brain that typically provides signals to stop eating may be altered by early life trauma. The discovery, obtained from studies in mice adds new perspective to binge eating and obesity. Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:06:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/12/221212140621.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/09/220901200635.htm Scientists hypothesize that circadian rhythm disruption is a psychopathology factor shared by a broad range of mental illnesses and that research into its molecular foundation could be key to unlocking better therapies and treatments. Thu, 01 Sep 2022 20:06:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/09/220901200635.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220829143924.htm A small device that detects food craving-related brain activity in a key brain region, and responds by electrically stimulating that region, has shown promise in a pilot clinical trial in two patients with loss-of-control binge eating disorder (BED), according to researchers. Mon, 29 Aug 2022 14:39:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220829143924.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220607120952.htm New findings highlight clear differences in grey matter for people with anorexia nervosa and point to the importance of early treatment interventions. Tue, 07 Jun 2022 12:09:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/06/220607120952.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220511085709.htm An analysis of 11 major psychiatric disorders offers new insight into why comorbidities are the norm when it comes to mental illness. The study suggests that while there is no single gene or set of genes underlying risk for all of them, subsets of disorders -- including bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; anorexia nervosa and obsessive-compulsive disorder; and major depression and anxiety --s hare a common genetic architecture. Wed, 11 May 2022 08:57:09 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/05/220511085709.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220429163636.htm Though purging is often a condition associated with bulimia nervosa, new research at Ohio University suggests that a different kind of eating disorder could also be responsible. Fri, 29 Apr 2022 16:36:36 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220429163636.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220325093722.htm Pregnant women with anorexia are at greater risk of having a stillbirth, underweight baby or pre-term birth, yet there are no clear guidelines for how doctors should manage the condition, according to a new study. Researchers have developed recommendations and principles for multidisciplinary management of anorexia nervosa in pregnancy. These recommendations include a focus on the specialist mental health, obstetric, medical, and nutritional care required to ensure optimal outcomes for women and their infants. Fri, 25 Mar 2022 09:37:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220325093722.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220315162813.htm Brain scans of children ages 9-10 with a type of eating disorder that causes uncontrollable overeating showed differences in gray matter density compared to their unaffected peers, according to a new study. The study's findings suggest that abnormal development in the brain's centers for reward and inhibition may play a role. In the children with binge eating disorder, researchers saw elevations in gray matter density in areas that are typically 'pruned' during healthy brain development. Disturbed synaptic pruning is linked to a number of psychiatric disorders. Tue, 15 Mar 2022 16:28:13 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/03/220315162813.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220228103824.htm New research has revealed a key neural mechanism underlying the feeling of being unable to stop eating, the most salient aspect of binge episodes in eating disorders like bulimia nervosa. Mon, 28 Feb 2022 10:38:24 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/02/220228103824.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211129212806.htm A new study finds that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is elevated in people with a psychiatric disorder compared with the general population. Mon, 29 Nov 2021 21:28:06 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/11/211129212806.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211007101010.htm Looking beyond the picky eating of childhood, researchers looked at this behavior in college students. Self-identified picky eaters ate significantly less fiber and vegetables and reported greater levels of social phobia than non-picky eaters, according to a new study. Social phobia is the fear of being evaluated during everyday activities by others. Thu, 07 Oct 2021 10:10:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/10/211007101010.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210630115345.htm A new study found that eating disorder behaviors alter the brain's reward response process and food intake control circuitry, which can reinforce the behaviors. Wed, 30 Jun 2021 11:53:45 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210630115345.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210622091610.htm Researchers have shown why people with mental health disorders, including anorexia and panic disorders, experience physical signals differently. Tue, 22 Jun 2021 09:16:10 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210622091610.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210412132951.htm A unique residential study has concluded that, contrary to perceived wisdom, people with eating disorders do not lose self-control - leading to binge-eating - in response to stress. Mon, 12 Apr 2021 13:29:51 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210412132951.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210412114740.htm A new probe into the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic revealed correlations to six unhealthy eating behaviors, according to a new study. Mon, 12 Apr 2021 11:47:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210412114740.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210321215443.htm Higher levels of the stomach-derived hormone ghrelin, which stimulates appetite, predict a greater preference for smaller immediate monetary rewards over larger delayed financial rewards, a new study finds. Sun, 21 Mar 2021 21:54:43 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210321215443.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210301112336.htm By analysing the genome of tens of thousand people, a team has discovering similarities between the genetic bases of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder, and those of psychiatric disorders. Eating disorders differ in their genetic association with anthropometric traits. Thus, genetic predisposition to certain weight traits may be a distinctive feature of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder. Mon, 01 Mar 2021 11:23:36 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210301112336.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210216115121.htm New analysis has shown a lack of strong evidence to support current guidance on psychological therapies for treating anorexia nervosa over expert treatment as usual. The findings highlight a need for further research and support a call for individual trial data to be made available so the benefits of treatments in specific patient populations can be better understood. Tue, 16 Feb 2021 11:51:21 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/02/210216115121.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201022201407.htm A new study has found that anxiety and stress directly linked to COVID-19 could be causing a number of body image issues. The research, which involved 506 UK adults, found that worries linked to COVID-19 were associated with body dissatisfaction and a desire for thinness in women, and associated with body fat dissatisfaction and a desire for muscularity in men. Thu, 22 Oct 2020 20:14:07 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201022201407.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201013124119.htm People with eating disorders are 12 times more likely to be preoccupied with perceived flaws in their physical appearance than those without, according to new research. Tue, 13 Oct 2020 12:41:19 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201013124119.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200908170539.htm A new study shows partially overlapping patterns of brain function in people with anorexia nervosa and those with body dysmorphic disorder, a related psychiatric condition characterized by misperception that particular physical characteristics are defective. Tue, 08 Sep 2020 17:05:39 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/09/200908170539.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200820102450.htm Girls with anorexia nervosa can have stunted growth and may not reach their full height potential, according to a new study. Thu, 20 Aug 2020 10:24:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200820102450.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200512205555.htm Children with autistic traits are more likely than their peers to develop an eating disorder, according to a new study. Tue, 12 May 2020 20:55:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/05/200512205555.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191212142634.htm In the largest-ever study of its kind researchers identified more than 100 genetic variants that affect the risk for more than one mental health condition. Thu, 12 Dec 2019 14:26:34 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191212142634.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191106130340.htm Adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa whose weight is in the healthy, overweight or obese ranges face similar cardiovascular and other health complications as their counterparts with low body mass index (BMI), according to a new study. Wed, 06 Nov 2019 13:03:40 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191106130340.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191029104752.htm When researchers wanted to test an app they created to measure body image perception, they went to the body image experts -- fashion models. Tue, 29 Oct 2019 10:47:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191029104752.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191017125240.htm Does yo-yo dieting drive compulsive eating? There may be a connection. According to researchers the chronic cyclic pattern of overeating followed by undereating, reduces the brain's ability to feel reward and may drive compulsive eating. This finding suggests that future research into treatment of compulsive eating behavior should focus on rebalancing the mesolimbic dopamine system -- the part of the brain responsible for feeling reward or pleasure. Thu, 17 Oct 2019 12:52:40 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191017125240.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191009131738.htm This research raises questions as to whether current diagnoses accurately reflect the underlying neurobiology of mental illness. The findings, just published in the leading peer-reviewed medical journal, JAMA Psychiatry, highlight the need for more individualised approaches to defining mental illness. Wed, 09 Oct 2019 13:17:38 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191009131738.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190828111252.htm The study analyzed data from studies across eight different psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, eating disorders, and others. The largest delay discounting effects were found to be associated with bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and schizophrenia. Wed, 28 Aug 2019 11:12:52 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190828111252.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190816191450.htm Eating disorder researchers have discovered a neurocircuit in mice that, when activated, increased their stress levels while decreasing their desire to eat. Fri, 16 Aug 2019 19:14:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/08/190816191450.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190715164655.htm A global study suggests that anorexia nervosa is at least partly a metabolic disorder, and not purely psychiatric as previously thought. Mon, 15 Jul 2019 16:46:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190715164655.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190709141255.htm Atypical eating behaviors may be a sign a child should be screened for autism, according to researchers who found that atypical eating behaviors were present in 70 percent of children with autism, which is 15 times more common than in neurotypical children. Tue, 09 Jul 2019 14:12:55 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190709141255.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190625173449.htm Researchers have identified a network of neurons that coordinate with other brain regions to influence eating behaviors. These findings could help those suffering from disease-induced appetite loss or over-eating. Tue, 25 Jun 2019 17:34:49 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190625173449.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190621220750.htm New research finds that adolescents who see themselves as puny and who exercise to gain weight may be at risk of so-called muscularity-oriented disordered eating behaviors. Fri, 21 Jun 2019 22:07:50 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190621220750.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190528095224.htm A study that started in 1985 in Gothenburg, Sweden, followed some 50 people who had become anorexic in their teens. It shows that 30 years later, the majority were healthy but some had persistent eating disorders. Tue, 28 May 2019 09:52:24 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190528095224.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190514115822.htm Researchers say those who have a history of an eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive traits, dieting, poor body image, and a drive for thinness are more likely to develop a pathological obsession with healthy eating or consuming only healthy food, known as orthorexia nervosa (ON). Although eating healthy is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, for some people this preoccupation with healthy eating can become physically and socially impairing. Tue, 14 May 2019 11:58:22 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190514115822.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190513212359.htm A history of eating disorders and body image concerns before or during pregnancy are associated with future depressive symptoms among mothers, finds a new study. Mon, 13 May 2019 21:23:59 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190513212359.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190501131357.htm In the largest study of its kind, involving more than 50,000 subjects in 14 countries, researchers at more than 200 collaborating institutions have identified 20 new genetic associations with one of the most prevalent and elusive mental illnesses of our time -- bipolar disorder. Wed, 01 May 2019 13:13:57 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190501131357.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190408085035.htm New research in mice suggests that a shared circuit in the brain could be one reason why heavy drinking and high-fat 'junk food' cravings go hand in hand. Mon, 08 Apr 2019 08:50:35 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190408085035.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190319121721.htm A study reveals that the cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptors play an essential role in the choice between running and eating chocolatey food. Tue, 19 Mar 2019 12:17:21 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190319121721.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190131143436.htm A new study has found that a persistent low body mass index (BMI) in children, starting as young as age 2 for boys and 4 for girls, may be a risk factor for the development of anorexia nervosa in adolescence. Thu, 31 Jan 2019 14:34:36 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190131143436.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190124115339.htm Researchers have identified new brain circuits that may act as a brake on binge eating and junk food craving. In rats who had spent a month eating a low-fat diet, researchers successfully inhibited the fatty food seeking behaviors. Thu, 24 Jan 2019 11:53:39 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190124115339.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190114130842.htm Researchers have identified cells in the brains of male rats that appear to control future food intake by preserving memories of past meals. The study lends support to the idea of boosting meal memories as a strategy for managing overeating. Mon, 14 Jan 2019 13:08:42 EST https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/01/190114130842.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180925115218.htm The study used rats to examine the impact on emotional behavior of a sudden drop in blood sugar. When the rats were given a glucose blocker, researchers found they had higher levels of cortisol. They also showed signs of stress and sluggish behavior similar to a poor mood. To prove the behavior wasn't just a lack of glucose to the muscles, researchers then gave them a common antidepressant and the behavior disappeared. Tue, 25 Sep 2018 11:52:18 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/09/180925115218.htm https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180717094732.htm Scientists have discovered that a small group of brain cells in the hypothalamus called 'orexin' neurons could be a promising target for medications for controlling binge eating episodes in individuals with obesity. These neurons, named for the chemical messenger they use to communicate with other brain cells, have previously been shown to be important for addiction to several drugs, including cocaine. Tue, 17 Jul 2018 09:47:32 EDT https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180717094732.htm