The potential value of brief waitlist interventions in enhancing treatment retention and outcomes: a randomised controlled trial.

People with eating disorders are often placed on lengthy waitlists for treatment. This is problematic, as increased time spent on waitlists has been shown to predict dropout. We examined whether providing brief interventions to people on a waitlist improved retention or outcomes in treatment. Participants (N = 85) were referred to a university training clinic for 10-session cognitive behavioural therapy for non-underweight patients with eating disorders (CBT-T). While waitlisted for CBT-T, participants were randomised to one of two waitlist interventions or a control condition. In one waitlist intervention (CRT-Brief), participants received a cognitive remediation therapy session at the start of the waitlist period. In the other waitlist intervention (brief contact), participants were sent a short supportive email and psychoeducation halfway through the waitlist period. The control condition was waitlist as usual. There was no evidence to suggest that the waitlist interventions improved symptoms during the waitlist period or CBT-T. However, participants who received a waitlist intervention were three times more likely to complete treatment. The present study suggests that providing even brief contact while people are waitlisted for eating disorder treatment significantly improves retention. However, replication in a more adequately powered study is required.

Improving programme-led and focused interventions for eating disorders: An experts' consensus statement-A UK perspective.

OBJECTIVE: Eating disorders are associated with significant illness burden and costs, yet access to evidence-based care is limited. Greater use of programme-led and focused interventions that are less resource-intensive might be part of the solution to this demand-capacity mismatch. METHOD: In October 2022, a group of predominantly UK-based clinical and academic researchers, charity representatives and people with lived experience convened to consider ways to improve access to, and efficacy of, programme-led and focused interventions for eating disorders in an attempt to bridge the demand-capacity gap. RESULTS: Several key recommendations were made across areas of research, policy, and practice. Of particular importance is the view that programme-led and focused interventions are suitable for a range of different eating disorder presentations across all ages, providing medical and psychiatric risk are closely monitored. The terminology used for these interventions should be carefully considered, so as not to imply that the treatment is suboptimal. CONCLUSIONS: Programme-led and focused interventions are a viable option to close the demand-capacity gap for eating disorder treatment and are particularly needed for children and young people. Work is urgently needed across sectors to evaluate and implement such interventions as a clinical and research priority.

What we can do about Autism and Eating Disorder comorbidity.

OBJECTIVE: We are pleased to introduce this special issue about Autism and Feeding and Eating Disorders, representing reflections on this complex comorbidity. METHOD: Contributions focussed on several main themes: (1) the definition and assessment of autism and eating disorder (ED) comorbidity; (2) the brain imaging findings of similarities and differences between autism and EDs; (3) sensory systems and interoception; (4) comorbidity across the age spectrum and (5) improving treatment outcomes in ED and autism comorbidity. RESULTS: The papers in this issue highlight the importance of research, screening and practical adaptations in the field of ED and autism comorbidity. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition with several strengths and weaknesses. When patients present with this comorbidity, it is important that their ED is treated which requires careful adaptation and tailoring for people with autism. DISCUSSION: This special issue is an attempt to facilitate further research and stimulate collaborations between all of the stakeholders, particularly clinicians who have expertise in autism and clinicians working in the field of ED. We have included diverse themes from international researchers conducting qualitative and quantitative studies, providing research evidence to inform treatment modifications for this complex comorbidity.

Autistic characteristics in eating disorders: Treatment adaptations and impact on clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Autistic people with eating disorders (EDs) may have special needs that are not met in standard ED treatment, raising the need for treatment adaptations to accommodate co-existing autism spectrum condition (ASC). Little is currently known about the nature of existing treatment options or adaptations for this population. We conducted a pre-registered systematic review to: (1) identify research articles describing existing interventions for patients with ED and comorbid ASC, and to critically review evidence of their clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness (Review 1); (2) review the impact of ASC comorbidity on ED clinical outcomes (Review 2). METHOD: Peer-reviewed studies published until the end of December 2020 were identified through a systematic search of the electronic databases: Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, Scopus and Cochrane Library. RESULTS: Only one clinical pathway of treatment adaptations (the 'PEACE' pathway) was identified in Review 1 with early evidence of cost-savings and favourable treatment outcomes. ASC characteristics were shown in Review 2 to have no direct impact on physical outcomes or ED symptoms, but could be associated with higher rates of comorbidities and greater use of intensive ED treatment. Additionally, patients with ASC characteristics may benefit more from individual sessions, rather than group sessions. CONCLUSIONS: Any new treatments or treatment adaptations may not directly impact on ED symptoms, but may be better able to support the complex needs of the ASC population, thus reducing subsequent need for intensive treatment. Future research is warranted to explore evidence of clinical and cost-effectiveness of interventions for this population.

Different pathways, same goals: A large-scale qualitative study of autistic and non-autistic patient-generated definitions of recovery from an eating disorder.

BACKGROUND: Definitions of recovery from an eating disorder (ED) have generally been formulated around clinical conceptualisations, rather than based on the views of patients. This paper therefore asked those with lived experience of ED for their own definitions of recovery. METHOD: Data were collected as part of an online study looking at EDs, autism and relationships. About 173 participants identified as recovered from ED and gave free-response definitions of recovery. Responses were subject to thematic analysis. RESULTS: Seven major themes were identified: Weight restoration, lack of ED behaviours, thoughts and behaviours, cognitions, emotional responses, getting on with life, and ongoing challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Many definitions of recovery given by those who have lived experience of ED echoed those used by clinicians and researchers. There were also points of divergence around the ongoing challenges of recovery. Our findings highlight the need for continuing support post-weight restoration to facilitate the successful long-term recovery for those with ED.

Examining the relationship between autistic spectrum disorder characteristics and structural brain differences seen in anorexia nervosa.

Cortical differences have been reported in Anorexia Nervosa (AN) compared with healthy controls (HC); however, it is unclear if Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) characteristics are related to these cortical differences. The aim of this study was to examine if structural measures were correlated to ASD traits in AN. In total 184 female participants participated in the study; 57 acutely underweight AN participants (AAN), 59 weight-restored participants (WR) and 68 HC. Participants underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging as well as completing the Autism Diagnostic Observation schedule, second edition to examine ASD characteristics. Group differences in curvature, gyrification, surface area, thickness, global grey matter and white matter were measured. Correlation and regression analysis were conducted to examine the relationship between cortical measures and ASD characteristics. Two decreased gyrification clusters in the right post central and supramarginal gyrus and decreased global grey matter were observed in the AAN group compared to HC and WR. No correlations between ASD traits and structural measures existed. Our results suggest structural differences seen in individuals with AN do not appear to be related to ASD characteristics.

Neuropsychological and clinical findings of Cognitive Remediation Therapy feasibility randomised controlled trial in young people with anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Randomised controlled trial (RCT) in adults with anorexia nervosa (AN) showed that Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) enhances cognitive flexibility, abstract thinking and quality-of-life. Despite inconsistent findings, CRT has the potential as an adjunct treatment for young people (YP) with AN. A feasibility RCT was conducted in an inpatient setting. The study will also consider the effect of CRT in YP with AN and autistic symptoms. METHODS: Participants were randomly allocated to the Immediate or Delayed condition to receive individual CRT sessions, in addition to standard treatment. A repeated measures design was conducted. RESULTS: Eighty participants were recruited. The neuropsychological measures were feasible for evaluating individual CRT in YP. Significant improvements in set-shifting and central coherence were found, with no main effect between immediate and delayed condition. Significant interactions were found between the condition, and autism spectrum condition (ASC) and No-ASC subgroup, with significant positive impact of CRT on set-shifting in the No-ASC subgroup. There was some evidence that for the No-ASC subgroup, CRT was more effective if delivered at the start of the treatment; and for the ASC subgroup, that CRT was more effective if delivered at the later stage of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the overall positive effect of CRT in set-shifting and central coherence alongside standard treatment. They also indicate the importance of screening for the presence of ASC which could require tailored CRT.

Young people and parents' views towards individual cognitive remediation therapy-qualitative findings from a feasibility randomised controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) has been used mostly in adults. Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) in anorexia nervosa (AN) have shown that CRT enhances cognitive flexibility, abstract thinking and is associated with quality-of-life improvement. More research is needed in younger populations. METHODS: A single-centre feasibility RCT with young people (YP) with AN was conducted in an inpatient setting. A secondary aim of this study was to explore patient satisfaction and parents' views towards CRT to inform further development and implementation of CRT in YP. YP were asked to complete a therapy feedback questionnaire and write a letter with their views on CRT. Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire exploring their perceptions of CRT. Data were analysed using inductive thematic and deductive content analysis. RESULTS: Both YP and parents valued CRT. Its engaging and pragmatic nature and its focus on thinking styles were perceived as a novel aspect. Parents expressed the need to be involved in the sessions to be able to continue to support their children at home. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms previous qualitative findings. Should a fully powered RCT be conducted, it would be important to take into account these findings to further adapt the content of the CRT sessions to the YP needs and to consider their parents' involvement in the sessions, which could also increase the likelihood of parents' engagement in providing their feedback. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I: Evidence obtained from one randomized controlled trial.

The emotional face of anorexia nervosa: The neural correlates of emotional processing.

Social-emotional processing difficulties have been reported in Anorexia Nervosa (AN), yet the neural correlates remain unclear. Previous neuroimaging work is sparse and has not used functional connectivity paradigms to more fully explore the neural correlates of emotional difficulties. Fifty-seven acutely unwell AN (AAN) women, 60 weight-recovered AN (WR) women and 69 healthy control (HC) women categorised the gender of a series of emotional faces while undergoing Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The mean age of the AAN group was 19.40 (2.83), WR 18.37 (3.59) and HC 19.37 (3.36). A whole brain and psychophysical interaction connectivity approach was used. Parameter estimates from significant clusters were extracted and correlated with clinical symptoms. Whilst no group level differences in whole brain activation were demonstrated, significant group level functional connectivity differences emerged. WR participants showed increased connectivity between the bilateral occipital face area and the cingulate, precentral gyri, superior, middle, medial and inferior frontal gyri compared to AAN and HC when viewing happy valenced faces. Eating disorder symptoms and parameter estimates were positively correlated. Our findings characterise the neural basis of social-emotional processing in a large sample of individuals with AN.

Central coherence and set-shifting between nonunderweight eating disorders and anorexia nervosa: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis compared previously documented inefficiencies in central coherence and set-shifting between people with nonunderweight eating disorders (bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder) and people with anorexia nervosa. METHOD: We performed random-effects meta-analyses on 16 studies (1,112 participants) for central coherence and 38 studies (3,505 participants) for set-shifting. Random effects meta-regressions were used to test whether the effect sizes for people with nonunderweight eating disorders were significantly different from the effect sizes for people with anorexia nervosa. RESULTS: People with anorexia nervosa (Hedge's g = -0.53, 95% CIs: -0.80, -0.27, p < .001) and bulimia nervosa (Hedge's g = -0.70, 95% CIs: -1.14, -0.25, p = .002), but not binge-eating disorder, had significantly poorer central coherence than healthy controls. Similarly, people with anorexia nervosa (Hedge's g = -0.38, 95% CIs: -0.50, -0.26, p < .001) and bulimia nervosa (Hedge's g = -0.55, 95% CIs: -0.81, -0.29, p < .001), but not binge-eating disorder, had significantly poorer set-shifting than healthy controls. The effect sizes for people with nonunderweight eating disorders did not significantly differ from those for people with anorexia nervosa. DISCUSSION: Our meta-analysis was underpowered to make definitive judgments about people with binge-eating disorder. However, we found that people with bulimia nervosa clearly have central coherence and set-shifting inefficiencies which do not significantly differ from those observed in people with anorexia nervosa. Clinically, this suggests that people with bulimia nervosa might benefit from adjunctive approaches to address these inefficiencies, such as cognitive remediation therapy.

OBJECTIVO: Esta revisión sistemática y metanálisis comparó las ineficiencias documentadas previamente en la coherencia central y el cambio de tareas entre personas con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria sin bajo peso (bulimia nervosa y trastorno por atracón) y personas con anorexia nerviosa. MÉTODO: Realizamos metanálisis de efectos aleatorios en 16 estudios (1112 participantes) para la coherencia central y 38 estudios (3505 participantes) para el cambio de tareas. Se utilizaron metarregresiones de efectos aleatorios para probar si los tamaños del efecto para las personas con trastornos alimentarios sin bajo peso eran significativamente diferentes de los tamaños del efecto para las personas con anorexia nerviosa. RESULTADOS: Las personas con anorexia nervosa (g de Hedge = −.53, IC del 95%: −.80, −.27, p <.001) y bulimia nervosa (g de Hedge = −.70, IC del 95%: −1.14, − 0,25, p = 0,002), pero no el trastorno por atracón, tenían una coherencia central significativamente más pobre que los controles sanos. De manera similar, las personas con anorexia nervosa (g de Hedge = −.38, IC del 95%: −.50, −.26, p <.001) y bulimia nervosa (g de Hedge = −.55, IC del 95%: −.81, −.29, p <.001), pero no el trastorno por atracón, tuvieron cambios de tareas significativamente más pobres que los controles sanos. Los tamaños del efecto para las personas con trastornos de la conducta alimentaria sin bajo peso no difirieron significativamente de los de las personas con anorexia nervosa. DISCUSIÓN: Nuestro metanálisis no tuvo el poder estadístico suficiente para emitir juicios definitivos sobre las personas con trastorno por atracón. Sin embargo, encontramos que las personas con bulimia nervosa claramente tienen coherencia central e ineficiencias de cambio de tareas que no difieren significativamente de las observadas en personas con anorexia nerviosa. Clínicamente, esto sugiere que las personas con bulimia nervosa podrían beneficiarse de enfoques complementarios para abordar estas ineficiencias, como la terapia de remediación cognitiva.

Implementing evidence-based individual psychotherapies for adults with eating disorders in a real world clinical setting.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of evidenced-based psychological treatments (specifically, Cognitive-Behaviour Therapy for Eating Disorders [CBT-ED] and Maudsley Anorexia Nervosa Treatment for Adults [MANTRA]) for a transdiagnostic eating disorder population in a routine clinical setting. In particular, it aimed to determine the extent to which treatment was provided in line with current clinical guidelines (NICE, 2017) and how effective treatment was in improving eating disorder and general psychopathology. METHOD: Three hundred and seventy-nine participants meeting criteria for DSM-5 anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder or other specified feeding or eating disorder completed pre- and posttreatment measures of eating disorder pathology and general distress. Clinicians recorded weight and episodes of bingeing and purging. RESULTS: Ninety seven percent of participants received treatment in line with evidence-based psychotherapies. Treatment was completed by 59.9% of the whole sample. Using stringent criteria and ITT analysis 21.4% met criteria for remission at end of treatment. In the underweight sample, there was a significant increase in BMI, averaging 1.38 kg/m2 over treatment, with similar outcomes for MANTRA and CBT-ED. DISCUSSION: These findings, in a large transdiagnostic population, add to emerging literature on the translation of evidence-based psychotherapies to real-world clinical settings. Our results converge well with prior similar studies. Findings highlight the need for routine data collection in services and for the ongoing improvement of treatments for the eating disorders.

Exploring neuropsychological and socio-emotional task performance in anorexia nervosa: A cluster analytic approach.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to characterise heterogeneity in neuropsychological and socio-emotional task performance in young women with anorexia nervosa (AN) using hierarchical cluster analysis. Further, we aimed to test whether cognitive profiles were associated with differences in clinical variables (body mass index, illness duration and age at diagnosis), psychopathology (eating disorder, autistic symptoms, anxiety and depression) and functional impairment. METHOD: Set-shifting, central coherence and theory of mind abilities were measured in 118 women with acute or remitted AN. A hierarchical cluster analysis using Ward's method with a Euclidean distance measure was performed with the neuropsychological and socio-emotional variables. Differences between clusters were assessed using ANOVAs. RESULTS: Four clusters emerged, with significant differences in neuropsychological and socio-emotional task performance. There were no significant differences between clusters in clinical variables, psychopathology or functional impairment, however, these analyses lacked power due to small cluster sizes. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate significant heterogeneity in cognitive profiles in AN, supporting a more personalised approach to treatment. Studies in larger samples are required to establish whether these variables map onto clinically significant differences in aetiology, clinical presentation, comorbidity patterns and/or treatment responses.

A novel approach for autism spectrum condition patients with eating disorders: Analysis of treatment cost-savings.

OBJECTIVE: In the current economic context, it is critical to ensure that eating disorder (ED) treatments are both effective and cost-effective. We describe the impact of a novel clinical pathway developed to better meet the needs of autistic patients with EDs on the length and cost of hospital admissions. METHOD: The pathway was based on the Institute for Healthcare's Model of Improvement methodology, using an iterative Plan, Do, Study, Act format to introduce change and to co-produce the work with people with lived experience and with healthcare professionals. We explored the change in length and cost of admissions before and after the pathway was introduced. RESULTS: Preliminary results suggest that the treatment innovations associated with this pathway have led to reduced lengths of admission for patients with the comorbidity, which were not seen for patients without the comorbidity. Estimated cost-savings were approximately £22,837 per patient and approximately £275,000 per year for the service as a whole. CONCLUSION: Going forward, our aim is to continue to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of investment in the pathway to determine whether the pathway improves the quality of care for patients with a comorbid ED and autism and is good value for money.

The neural correlates of a central coherence task in young women with anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Heightened detail-processing and low levels of central coherence are common in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and predict poorer prognosis. However, it is unclear whether these processing styles predate the disorder or, rather, emerge during later stages of AN. The current study aimed to address this question by investigating central coherence, and the neural correlates of central coherence, in a sample of young women with AN with shorter duration of illness than previous studies recruiting adult samples. METHODS: We recruited 186 participants, including: 73 young women with AN, 45 young women weight-recovered from AN, and 68 age-matched controls. Participants completed the Embedded Figures Task during an fMRI scan. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the participant groups in performance accuracy or reaction time. There were no other between-groups differences in neural response to the Embedded Figures Task. CONCLUSIONS: These findings contrast with evidence from older adults demonstrating differences in the neural underpinning of central coherence amongst participants with AN versus control participants. The current study adds to an increasing literature base demonstrating the resilience of neuropsychological traits and associated brain systems in the early stages of AN.

Basal ganglia volume and shape in anorexia nervosa.

BACKGROUND: Reward-centred models have proposed that anomalies in the basal ganglia circuitry that underlies reward learning and habit formation perpetuate anorexia nervosa (AN). The present study aimed to investigate the volume and shape of key basal ganglia regions, including the bilateral caudate, putamen, nucleus accumbens (NAcc), and globus pallidus in AN. METHODS: The present study combined data from two existing studies resulting in a sample size of 46 women with AN and 56 age-matched healthy comparison (HC) women. Group differences in volume and shape of the regions of interest were examined. Within the AN group, the impact of eating disorder characteristics on volume and shape of the basal ganglia regions were also explored. RESULTS: The shape analyses revealed inward deformations in the left caudate, right NAcc, and bilateral ventral and internus globus pallidus, and outward deformations in the right middle and posterior globus pallidus in the AN group. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings appear to fit with the theoretical models suggesting that there are alterations in the basal ganglia regions associated with habit formation and reward processing in AN. Further investigation of structural and functional connectivity of these regions in AN as well as their role in recovery would be of interest.

The social responsiveness scale is an efficient screening tool for autism spectrum disorder traits in adults with anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: A significant proportion of individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) show high levels of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits, a factor associated with poorer treatment outcomes. An important question for both researchers and clinicians relates to how ASD traits should be assessed in individuals with AN. This study aimed to examine scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale adult self-report version (SRS-2) in individuals in the acute (AN) and recovered stages (REC) of illness compared to healthy controls (HCs). We also aimed to examine associations between the SRS-2 and an observational diagnostic measure, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - second edition (ADOS-2). METHOD: The SRS-2 and ADOS-2 were administered to 142 adults with AN, REC, and HCs. Eating disorder (ED) psychopathology and functional impairment were also assessed. RESULTS: AN and REC scored significantly higher than HCs on the SRS-2. SRS-2 scores significantly predicted ADOS-2 classification and were positively associated with ED psychopathology and functional impairment. SRS-2 scores were not associated with BMI or illness duration. CONCLUSIONS: The SRS-2 may be a useful tool in screening for ASD traits in individuals with AN. Although cross-sectional, the results also suggest ASD symptoms are independent of BMI and persist in individuals recovered from AN.

Individual cognitive remediation therapy benefits for patients with anorexia nervosa and high autistic features.

Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) is an increasingly implemented intervention in psychiatric conditions. The majority of randomized treatment trials in psychiatry reports cognitive improvements resulting in better functional outcomes in CRT groups. This brief report from the national inpatient treatment programme for eating disorders demonstrates cognitive performance task-based improvements in patients with high and low autistic characteristics. This preliminary study shows feasibility and benefits of individual CRT in patients who have autism spectrum disorder features.

The autism diagnostic observation schedule: Patterns in individuals with anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Studies have used the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (the ADOS-2) in individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN), but the patterns of scores have not been assessed. We examined which subset of the ADOS-2 items best discriminate individuals with AN from healthy controls (HC), and assessed the potential clustering of AN participants based on different profiles of the ADOS-2 item scores. METHOD: We combined datasets from two previous studies, and (a) compared mean ranks between young AN participants (N = 118) and HC (N = 42), (ii) replicated the item selection procedure of the existing ADOS-2 algorithm to assess sensitivity of items in the AN group, and (c) applied a two-step clustering analysis in the AN group (N = 149). RESULTS: AN participants displayed significantly higher mean ranks than HC participants in five of 32 items. All five items are part of the existing ADOS-2 algorithm. We found two clusters of AN participants; one representing normal social behaviour, comprising 68% of the individuals with AN, and one representing less efficient social behaviour, comprising 32% of individuals with AN. CONCLUSIONS: The items comprising the social affective cluster of the existing ADOS-2 algorithm are well suited to assess difficulties with social functioning in individuals with AN.

COVID Isolation Eating Scale (CIES): Analysis of the impact of confinement in eating disorders and obesity-A collaborative international study.

Confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have a serious and complex impact on the mental health of patients with an eating disorder (ED) and of patients with obesity. The present manuscript has the following aims: (1) to analyse the psychometric properties of the COVID Isolation Eating Scale (CIES), (2) to explore changes that occurred due to confinement in eating symptomatology; and (3) to explore the general acceptation of the use of telemedicine during confinement. The sample comprised 121 participants (87 ED patients and 34 patients with obesity) recruited from six different centres. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) tested the rational-theoretical structure of the CIES. Adequate goodness-of-fit was obtained for the confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach alpha values ranged from good to excellent. Regarding the effects of confinement, positive and negative impacts of the confinement depends of the eating disorder subtype. Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and with obesity endorsed a positive response to treatment during confinement, no significant changes were found in bulimia nervosa (BN) patients, whereas Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) patients endorsed an increase in eating symptomatology and in psychopathology. Furthermore, AN patients expressed the greatest dissatisfaction and accommodation difficulty with remote therapy when compared with the previously provided face-to-face therapy. The present study provides empirical evidence on the psychometric robustness of the CIES tool and shows that a negative confinement impact was associated with ED subtype, whereas OSFED patients showed the highest impairment in eating symptomatology and in psychopathology.

Autistic adult outcomes on weight and body mass index: a large-scale online study.

PURPOSE: There has been a wealth of work on the weight outcomes of autistic children and young people, generally finding that they are more likely to be overweight or obese than their non-autistic counterparts. There has not been the same focussed study of the weight outcomes of autistic adults, however. This study, therefore, sought to examine the relationship between weight outcome and being autistic in adults. METHODS: Data were collected as part of an online study looking at eating, autism, and relationships. 665 people gave demographic and mental health information, and group differences and robust regressions were conducted. RESULTS: Autistic adults were more likely to be in non-healthy weight categories than their non-autistic counterparts, i.e., more likely to be underweight, overweight, or obese. There were no interactions between autism status and mental health impacting BMI, although both anxiety and depression predicted higher BMI in the sample overall. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that while some weight patterns from childhood and adolescence continue into adulthood for autistic individuals, this is not necessarily a straightforward picture, and would benefit from further in-depth and qualitative study to understand the processes at play. The lack of interactions between mental health and autism, however, should provide professionals with confidence in supporting healthy weight management among autistic people. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, cohort study.