Identifying Factors Which Influence Eating Disorder Risk during Behavioral Weight Management: A Consensus Study

Hiba Jebeile, Caitlin M. McMaster, Brittany J. Johnson, Sarah P. Garnett, Susan J. Paxton, Anna L. Seidler, Rebecca A. Jones, Andrew J. Hill, Sarah Maguire, Caroline Braet, Genevieve Dammery, Denise E. Wilfley, Louise A. Baur, Natalie B. Lister, on behalf of the Eating Disorders In weight-related Therapy (EDIT) Collaboration

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)
45 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

This study aimed to understand clinician, researcher and consumer views regarding factors which influence eating disorder (ED) risk during behavioral weight management, including individual risk factors, intervention strategies and delivery features. Eighty-seven participants were recruited internationally through professional and consumer organizations and social media and completed an online survey. Individual characteristics, intervention strategies (5-point scale) and delivery features (important/unimportant/unsure) were rated. Participants were mostly women (n = 81), aged 35–49 y, from Australia or United States, were clinicians and/or reported lived experience of overweight/obesity and/or ED. There was agreement (64% to 99%) that individual characteristics were relevant to ED risk, with history of ED, weight-based teasing/stigma and weight bias internalization having the highest agreement. Intervention strategies most frequently rated as likely to increase ED risk included those with a focus on weight, prescription (structured diets, exercise plans) and monitoring strategies, e.g., calorie counting. Strategies most frequently rated as likely to decrease ED risk included having a health focus, flexibility and inclusion of psychosocial support. Delivery features considered most important were who delivered the intervention (profession, qualifications) and support (frequency, duration). Findings will inform future research to quantitatively assess which of these factors predict eating disorder risk, to inform screening and monitoring protocols.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1085
Number of pages17
JournalNutrients
Volume15
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2023

Keywords

  • behavior change
  • delivery features
  • dieting
  • disordered eating
  • intervention strategies
  • obesity
  • overweight

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