Latent Change Trajectories in Mood During Focused CBT Enhanced for Eating Disorders Are Associated With Global Eating Pathology at Posttreatment and Follow-Up Among Individuals With Bulimia Nervosa Spectrum Disorders: A Preliminary Examination.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is characterized by recurrent loss of control over eating (LOC) and inappropriate compensatory behaviors. Although cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious for BN, many patients continue to experience symptoms at posttreatment. One potential driver of this low treatment response may be low mood, which maintains BN symptoms through negative reinforcement. Thus, it is important to understand how mood changes over enhanced cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-E) and whether these changes are associated with improved treatment outcomes. Participants (N = 56) with BN-spectrum eating disorders (EDs) received 16 sessions of the focused version of CBT-E. The Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) was used to measure ED symptoms (global ED pathology, frequency of binge episodes, and compensatory behaviors) at pre- and posttreatment. Latent growth mixture modeling (LGMM) of affective ratings via digital self-monitoring identified latent growth classes. Kruskal-Wallis H tests examined the effect of trajectory of change in mood on pre- to posttreatment symptom change. LGMM yielded a four-class model that best fit the data representing distinct mood trajectories over the course of treatment: (a) highest baseline mood, linear improving; (b) moderate baseline mood, stable; (c) moderate baseline mood, quadratic worsening; and (d) lowest baseline mood, quadratic improving. Participants who demonstrated worsening mood over treatment (i.e., individuals in the "moderate baseline mood, quadratic worsening" class) had significantly higher EDE global scores at posttreatment and follow-up compared to participants with stable mood across treatment. Change in LOC eating frequency and compensatory behaviors across treatment did not significantly differ by mood class. The main effect of mood class or interaction effect between time and mood class on objective binge episodes, subjective binge episodes, and compensatory behaviors was not significant. There were no significant differences in global ED pathology at either posttreatment or follow-up for any other class comparisons. These results suggest that certain trajectories of change in mood during treatment are particularly associated with change in pre- to posttreatment EDE global score. If replicated, our findings could suggest that future iterations of CBT-E should target mood early in treatment in order to maximize reductions in global eating pathology.

Web-Based Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Bulimia Nervosa: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Despite the existence of effective treatments, many individuals with bulimia nervosa (BN) do not receive evidence-based therapies. Integrating digital interventions into routine care might reach more patients and reduce the clinical burden of BN. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based cognitive behavioral self-help intervention for individuals with BN. Design, Setting, and Participants: A 2-group randomized clinical trial without follow-up was conducted between February 2, 2021, and July 9, 2022, in Germany. Participants aged between 18 and 65 years who met the diagnostic criteria for BN were enrolled online via self-referral. Data analyses were conducted from October 24, 2022, to December 23, 2023. Interventions: A web-based cognitive behavioral self-help intervention including 12 weekly modules was compared with a waiting-list control group only having access to routine care. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the change in the number of bulimic episodes between baseline and posttreatment. Secondary outcomes included changes in global eating disorder symptoms, clinical impairment, well-being, work capacity, comorbid symptoms, self-esteem, and emotion regulation complemented by weekly measures and ecological momentary assessment. Intention-to-treat analyses were performed. Results: Participants (N = 154; mean [SD] age, 29.6 [8.6] years; 149 [96.8%] female) receiving the web-based intervention demonstrated a significantly greater decrease in bulimic episodes compared with the control group (Cohen d = -0.48; 95% CI, -0.75 to -0.20; P < .001), representing a significant change in binge-eating episodes (Cohen d = -0.61; 95% CI, -0.89 to -0.33; P < .001), but not in compensatory behaviors (Cohen d = -0.25; 95% CI, -0.51 to 0.02; P = .21). The intervention was superior in improving global eating disorder symptoms (Cohen d = -0.61; 95% CI, -0.89 to -0.32; P < .001) and clinical impairment (Cohen d = -0.62; 95% CI, -0.92 to -0.33; P < .001). No significant effects were found for well-being (Cohen d = -0.08; 95% CI, -0.37 to 0.22; P > .99) and work capacity (Cohen d = -0.01; 95% CI, -0.68 to 0.66; P = .99). Exploratory analyses indicated significant changes in self-esteem and emotion regulation difficulties, but not in comorbid symptoms. Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial, a web-based cognitive behavioral self-help intervention effectively decreased eating disorder symptoms and illness-related burden in individuals with BN, underlining the potential of digital interventions to complement established treatments. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04876196.

The Impact of High Levels of Compensatory Exercise on Treatment Outcomes in Threshold and Subthreshold Bulimia Nervosa.

Bulimia nervosa (BN) and other specific feeding or eating disorders with subthreshold BN symptoms (OSFED-BN) are characterized by recurrent binge eating episodes accompanied by compensatory behaviors, including excessive exercise. We aimed to examine the role of compensatory exercise on several clinical disorder-related variables and the treatment outcomes. The sample included 478 patients diagnosed with either BN or OSFED-BN admitted for a 16-week eating disorder-specific treatment program. A battery of questionnaires was administered to evaluate eating and general psychopathology, and personality traits. Other clinical disorder-related data, including levels of compensatory exercise, were assessed through a semi-structured clinical interview. Between-group comparisons of compensatory exercise levels were analyzed, as a predictive model of risk of poor treatment outcomes. Path analysis was conducted using structural equation models to estimate the direct and indirect effects between the main variables. Higher levels of self-reported compensatory exercise were associated with greater eating psychopathology, general psychopathology, and more dysfunctional personality traits and were a predictor of poor treatment outcomes. Additionally, these levels achieved a mediating role in several paths contributing to a higher likelihood of a poor outcome. Further research is required to determine how psychotherapeutic approaches can be optimized to adequately include adaptive exercise for these patients.

Gender stereotypes in eating disorder recognition.

PURPOSE: Eating disorder (ED) awareness is low. We assessed if ED symptom recognition, perceived need for treatment, perceived distress, perceived acceptability, and perceived prevalence differed depending on the gender of the individual with the ED. METHODS: 276 community participants were randomly assigned to one of three gender conditions (female, male, and non-binary), read three vignettes describing three different individuals with ED symptoms [anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED)], and then answered a series of questions related to participants ED symptom recognition, perceived need for treatment, perceived distress associated with having ED symptoms, perceived acceptability (e.g., the extent to which it may not be too bad to have an ED), and perceived prevalence. Mixed ANOVAs and chi-square analyses were conducted to examine differences between groups. RESULTS: There were no significant main effects of gender condition across the outcome variables. There were main effects of ED type for problem recognition, perceived need for treatment, perceived level of distress, and perceived prevalence, with participants being more likely to recognize a problem in the AN and BN vignettes than the BED vignettes, refer for treatment and rate a higher perceived level of distress in then AN vignette than the BN and BED vignettes, and perceive a higher prevalence rate in the BN vignette than the AN vignette. There was a significant gender by condition interaction for perceived prevalence, with participants rating a higher prevalence of AN in women and non-binary individuals than men and a higher prevalence of BN in women than non-binary individuals and men. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the importance of education on EDs and awareness that EDs can occur in any individual, regardless of their gender identification. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level I, experimental study with randomization.

Impact of emotional abuse on eating disorder psychopathology: A multiple mediation analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Childhood maltreatment, particularly emotional abuse (EA), has been identified as a significant risk factor for the development of eating disorders (EDs). This study investigated the association between EA and ED symptoms while considering multiple potential mediators. METHODS: Participants included 151 individuals with Anorexia Nervosa (AN), 115 with Bulimia Nervosa (BN), and 108 healthy controls. The Childhood trauma questionnaire, the Toronto Alexithymia scale, the Behavioral inhibition System, and the Eating Disorder Inventory 2 scale were completed before treatment. A mediator path model was conducted in each group: EA was set as independent variable, eating symptoms as dependent variables and ineffectiveness, sensitivity to punishment, alexithymia, and impulsivity as mediators. RESULTS: In individuals with AN, impulsivity emerged as a significant mediator between EA and desire for thinness and bulimic behaviors. Conversely, in individuals with BN, sensitivity to punishment was found to mediate the association between EA and dissatisfaction with one's body. Ineffectiveness and difficulty identifying emotions were identified as transdiagnostic mediators in both clinical groups. No mediation effect was found in healthy individuals. DISCUSSION: The simultaneous assessment of multiple mediators in a unique model outlines the complex interplay between childhood EA and ED psychopathology. Improving ineffectiveness, emotion identification, sensitivity to punishment and impulsivity and exploring their relations with early emotional abuse may represent treatment targets in individuals with EDs and childhood trauma.

Risk Factors That Predict Future Onset of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, and Purging Disorder in Adolescent Girls.

Because very few prospective studies have identified risk factors that predicted future onset of threshold/subthreshold anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and purging disorder (PD), we analyzed prospective data collected from a large cohort of adolescent girls followed over an 8-year period to advance knowledge about risk factor specificity. Adolescent girls recruited from middle schools in Texas (N = 492; M age = 13.02 [SD = 0.73], age range = 11-15) completed questionnaires assessing risk factors at baseline and diagnostic interviews assessing eating disorders annually over 8 years. Only low BMI predicted future AN onset. Pressure to be thin, thin-ideal internalization, body dissatisfaction, negative emotionality, low parent support, and modeling of eating pathology predicted future BN onset. Pressure to be thin, thin-ideal internalization, negative emotionality, low parent support, and modeling of eating pathology predicted future BED onset. Pressure to be thin, body dissatisfaction, dietary restraint, low parent support, modeling of eating pathology, and high BMI predicted future PD onset. Predictive effects were medium-to-large. Results support etiological theories of eating disorders that postulate the pursuit of the thin ideal, body dissatisfaction, negative affect, dietary restraint, and interpersonal issues increase risk for most eating disorders. The evidence that girls with low body weight are at risk for AN, whereas girls with high body weight are at risk for PD are novel. Although several risk factors predicted future onset of BN, BED, and PD, results suggest that risk factors for AN are qualitatively distinct and should be investigated further.

Structural and functional neural patterns among sub-threshold bulimia nervosa: Abnormalities in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and orbitofrontal cortex.

BACKGROUND: Disordered eating behaviors are prevalent among youngsters and highly associated with dysfunction in neurocognitive systems. We aimed to identify the potential changes in individuals with bulimia symptoms (sub-BN) to generate insights to understand developmental pathophysiology of bulimia nervosa. METHODS: We investigated group differences in terms of degree centrality (DC) and gray matter volume (GMV) among 145 undergraduates with bulimia symptoms and 140 matched control undergraduates, with the secondary analysis of the whole brain connectivity in these regions of interest showing differences in static functional connectivity (FC). RESULTS: The sub-BN group exhibited abnormalities of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and right orbitofrontal cortex in both GMV and DC, and displayed decreased FC between these regions and the precuneus. We also observed that sub-BN presented with reduced FC between the calcarine and superior temporal gyrus, middle temporal gyrus and inferior parietal gyrus. Additionally, brain-behavioral associations suggest a distinct relationship between these FCs and psychopathological symptoms in sub-BN group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that individuals with bulimia symptoms present with aberrant neural patterns that mainly involved in cognitive control and reward processing, as well as attentional and self-referential processing, which could provide important insights into the pathology of BN.

The optimal cut-off score of the Eating Attitude Test-26 for screening eating disorders in Japan.

PURPOSE: The Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) is a screening tool for eating disorders (EDs) in clinical and non-clinical samples. The cut-off score was suggested to be varied according to target population. However, no studies have examined the appropriateness of the originally proposed score of 20 for screening DSM-5 eating disorders in Japan. This study aimed to identify an appropriate cut-off score to better differentiate clinical and non-clinical samples in Japan for EDs. METHODS: The participants consisted of 54 patients with anorexia nervosa restricting type, 58 patients with anorexia nervosa binge-eating/purging type, 37 patients with bulimia nervosa diagnosed according to DSM-5 criteria, and 190 healthy controls (HCs). Welch's t test was used to assess differences in age, body mass index (BMI), and total EAT-26 scores between HCs and patients with EDs. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to identify the optimal cut-off score. RESULTS: The HCs had significantly higher BMI and lower total EAT-26 mean scores than patients with EDs. The area under the ROC curve was 0.925, indicating that EAT-26 had excellent performance in discriminating patients with EDs from HCs. An optimal cut-off score of 17 was identified, with sensitivity and specificity values of 0.866 and 0.868, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The result supports the suggestions that optimal cut-off score should be different according to target populations. The newly identified cut-off score of 17 would enable the identification of patients with EDs who have been previously classified as non-clinical samples in the EAT-26 test. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III: evidence obtained from case-control analytic study.

Mediation role of interpersonal problems between insecure attachment and eating disorder psychopathology.

PURPOSE: Although insecure attachment and interpersonal problems have been acknowledged as risk and maintaining factors of eating disorders (EDs), the mediating role of interpersonal problems between attachment style and ED psychopathology has been poorly explored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating role of interpersonal problems between insecure attachment and ED psychopathology. METHODS: One-hundred-nine women with anorexia nervosa and 157 women with bulimia nervosa filled in the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2) and the Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR) revised scale to assess ED core symptoms and attachment styles, respectively. Interpersonal difficulties were evaluated by the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-32). A mediator's path model was conducted with anxious and avoidant attachment subscores as independent variables, ED core symptoms as dependent variables and interpersonal difficulties as mediators. The diagnosis was entered in the model as a confounding factor. RESULTS: The socially inhibited/avoidant interpersonal dimension was a mediator between avoidant attachment and the drive to thinness as well as between avoidant attachment and body dissatisfaction. An indirect connection was found between attachment-related anxiety and bulimic symptoms through the mediation of intrusive/needy score. CONCLUSIONS: Social avoidance and intrusiveness mediate the relationships between avoidant and anxious attachment styles and ED psychopathology. These interpersonal problems may represent specific targets for psychotherapeutic treatments in individuals with EDs and insecure attachment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies.

Attachment, Mentalization, Emotion Dysregulation, and Empathy in Eating Disorders: Comparing Anorexic and Bulimic Patients.

ABSTRACT: Eating disorders (EDs) represent a wide range of clinical symptoms related to food intake, body image, and weight issues, and include anorexia nervosa-restricting type (AN-R), anorexia nervosa-binge-purge type (AN-BP), and bulimia nervosa (BN). The aim was to investigate the characteristics of attachment, mentalization, emotion dysregulation, and empathy in a sample of 102 patients with EDs. A sample of 102 patients and therapists completed a series of measures for the assessment of ED pathology, mentalization, empathy, and emotion dysregulation. Pearson correlations and analysis of variance were used to test the characteristics of the variables among the groups. In relation to attachment and emotion dysregulation, no significant differences were found. In relation to mentalization, significant difference in good mentalization was found in AN-R subtype compared with the BN subtype. In relation to empathy, results showed significantly lower scores in BN subtype on affective empathy compared with the AN-BP subtype, and in AN-R subtype on cognitive empathy. Finally, we used Z -scores for each item ranked by value (higher to lower) to develop different clinical prototypes for each group. Our results point toward the clinical need to address the assessed variables, specifically mentalization, emotion dysregulation, and empathy, in the diagnosis and treatment of EDs.

Distinct personality profiles associated with disease risk and diagnostic status in eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: Personality traits have been associated with eating disorders (EDs) and comorbidities. However, it is unclear which personality profiles are premorbid risk rather than diagnostic markers. METHODS: We explored associations between personality and ED-related mental health symptoms using canonical correlation analyses. We investigated personality risk profiles in a longitudinal sample, associating personality at age 14 with onset of mental health symptoms at ages 16 or 19. Diagnostic markers were identified in a sample of young adults with anorexia nervosa (AN, n = 58) or bulimia nervosa (BN, n = 63) and healthy controls (n = 47). RESULTS: Two significant premorbid risk profiles were identified, successively explaining 7.93 % and 5.60 % of shared variance (Rc2). The first combined neuroticism (canonical loading, rs = 0.68), openness (rs = 0.32), impulsivity (rs = 0.29), and conscientiousness (rs = 0.27), with future onset of anxiety symptoms (rs = 0.87) and dieting (rs = 0.58). The other, combined lower agreeableness (rs = -0.60) and lower anxiety sensitivity (rs = -0.47), with future deliberate self-harm (rs = 0.76) and purging (rs = 0.55). Personality profiles associated with "core psychopathology" in both AN (Rc2 = 80.56 %) and BN diagnoses (Rc2 = 64.38 %) comprised hopelessness (rs = 0.95, 0.87) and neuroticism (rs = 0.93, 0.94). For BN, this profile also included impulsivity (rs = 0.60). Additionally, extraversion (rs = 0.41) was associated with lower depressive risk in BN. LIMITATIONS: The samples were not ethnically diverse. The clinical cohort included only females. There was non-random attrition in the longitudinal sample. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest neuroticism and impulsivity as risk and diagnostic markers for EDs, with neuroticism and hopelessness as shared diagnostic markers. They may inform the design of more personalised prevention and intervention strategies.

[Effectiveness of interventions to help mitigate the influence of social networks on anorexia and bulimia nervosa: a systematic review].

BACKGROUND: The study aim to analyze the impact of interventions to help mitigate the influence of social networks on anorexia and bulimia nervosa. METHODOLOGY: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO and Web of Science. The inclusion criteria were: randomized clinical trials, published between 2013 and 2023 with a score = 5 points on the Van Tulder methodological quality scale. RESULTS: Eight studies were selected, most carried out in secondary education centers or universities; one was online. The study sample consisted of 5,084 participants mainly young women and adolescents with an average age between 12 and 32 years. As for the social networks, some studies described their impact at a general level, while others focused on Instagram, Facebook, Tik-Tok, Twitter, and Snapchat. A positive correlation was found between the exposure to unrealistic beauty ideals found in social networks with greater concern and dissatisfaction with body image. All studies used instruments to assess the effectiveness of the interventions. The interventions helped reduce the influence of the media and social networks, improve self-perception and self-esteem assessments, reduce anxiety levels and internalization of the thin beauty ideal, reduce dietary restrictions, and make use of social networks differently. CONCLUSIONS: Longer-lasting interventions can improve body satisfaction (one year) and depressive symptoms (six months), especially in women. Interventions should include attention to self-criticism, self-perception, self-esteem, body image, nutritional management, and media literacy skills.

Patients' perceptions of post-treatment factors that influenced skill use after cognitive-behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa spectrum disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Deterioration rate among patients with bulimia-spectrum eating disorders (BN-EDs) after receiving enhanced cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT-E) remains high. Previous studies identified body image concerns, environmental triggers, lack of social support, lack of resources, comorbidity, and discontinued skill use as predictors of deterioration. However, no studies have qualitatively explored patients' perceptions of how these factors influenced their skill use and led to deterioration after receiving outpatient CBT. METHODS: This study aimed to qualitatively explore (1) what post-treatment factors patients believe contributed to deterioration, and (2) whether patients continued to practice the CBT skills they learned from treatment and identify motivators and barriers to post-treatment skill use. Twelve participants who had previously completed 16 sessions of CBT for their BN-EDs and experienced at least modest treatment responses participated in the qualitative interviews. RESULTS: Four themes were identified from the qualitative interviews. Post-treatment deterioration was primarily driven by decreased skill use due to a perceived sudden loss of accountability and continued body dissatisfaction after treatment ended. Discontinued practice of binge analysis led to decreased awareness of the relationship between poor skill use and ED behaviors. Difficulty accessing resources impeded participants from receiving external help to address challenges in skill practice, thus also contributing to deterioration. DISCUSSION: Findings suggested that outpatient treatment for BN-EDs patients should emphasize more on body image concern, and deterioration prevention for outpatient CBT-E should focus on building self-accountability to keep practicing skills after treatment ends. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study was the first to qualitatively explore post-treatment factors influencing skill use and deterioration in patients with bulimia-spectrum eating disorders after they completed outpatient CBT. Findings indicated that decreased skill use was a primary driver of post-treatment deterioration, and that relapse prevention for outpatient CBT for BN-EDs should focus on enhancing patients' self-accountability to continue practicing therapeutic skills independently after treatment ended.

Early reduction in anxiety sensitivity predicts greater reduction in disordered eating and trait anxiety during treatment for bulimia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Anxiety sensitivity (AS), the trait-like fear of symptoms of anxiety, has been associated with eating disorder (ED) pathology broadly, bulimia nervosa (BN) symptoms specifically, and the anxiety disorders that are commonly comorbid with BN. AS, especially for physical symptoms specifically, maybe a risk and maintenance factor for BN and comorbid anxiety. METHOD: Adult participants with BN (n = 44) in a clinical trial comparing CBT to mindfulness and acceptance-based treatment (MABT) reported ED symptoms, trait anxiety, and AS through treatment and follow-up. We predicted that greater early reduction (i.e., within the first month of treatment) in AS would predict greater reductions in ED symptoms and trait anxiety at post-treatment and follow-up. RESULTS: Early reductions in AS for physical concerns predicted lower ED symptoms and trait anxiety at post-treatment but not follow-up. Exploratory analyses indicated that treatment groups did not differ in either early or total change in AS, controlling for baseline AS. DISCUSSION: Early reductions in AS may be an important treatment target for BN, and may additionally support reductions in anxiety. Future research should identify which components of CBT and MABT best target AS, to deliver these components early in treatment, when they can have maximum effect. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Anxiety sensitivity, the fear of symptoms of anxiety, is associated with eating disorders (ED). In this study, participants in treatment for bulimia nervosa reported ED symptoms, trait anxiety, and anxiety sensitivity through treatment and follow-up. Greater early reductions in anxiety sensitivity predicted lower ED symptoms and trait anxiety at post-treatment. Future research should identify which elements of treatment best target anxiety sensitivity, to deliver them early in treatment.

From early relational experiences to non-suicidal self-injury in anorexia and bulimia nervosa: a structural equation model unraveling the role of impairments in interoception.

PURPOSE: Individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) frequently exhibit Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI), yet their co-occurrence is still unclear. To address this issue, the aim of this study was to elucidate the role of impairments in interoception in explaining the NSSI phenomenon in AN and BN, providing an explanatory model that considers distal (insecure attachment/IA and traumatic childhood experiences/TCEs) and proximal (dissociation and emotional dysregulation) risk factors for NSSI. METHOD: 130 patients with AN and BN were enrolled and administered self-report questionnaires to assess the intensity of NSSI behaviors, interoceptive deficits, IA, TCEs, emotional dysregulation and dissociative symptoms. RESULTS: Results from structural equation modeling revealed that impairments in interoception acted as crucial mediators between early negative relational experiences and factors that contribute to NSSI in AN and BN, particularly emotional dysregulation and dissociation. Precisely, both aspects of IA (anxiety and avoidance) and various forms of TCEs significantly exacerbated interoceptive deficits, which in turn are associated to the emergence of NSSI behaviors through the increase in levels of dissociation and emotional dysregulation. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed model provided a novel explanation of the occurrence of NSSIs in patients with AN and BN by accounting for the significance of interoception. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V-Cross-sectional observational study.

Established and emerging treatments for eating disorders.

Eating disorders (EDs) are common mental health conditions that carry exceedingly high morbidity and mortality rates. Evidence-based treatment options include a range of psychotherapies and some, mainly adjunctive, pharmacological interventions. However, around 20-30% of people fail to respond to the best available treatments and develop a persistent treatment-refractory illness. Novel treatments for these disorders are emerging, but their efficacy and clinical relevance need further investigation. In this review article, we first outline the evidence-base for the established treatments of the three 'classical' EDs [anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED)]. We then review research on some of the most promising emerging treatment modalities, discussing the questions and challenges that remain.

Examining negative urgency as a predictor of eating disorder maintenance in purging syndromes.

OBJECTIVES: Negative urgency is associated with short-term maintenance of binge eating and purging in unselected samples. The current study used an eating disorder sample to test the hypothesis that negative urgency maintains bulimia nervosa (BN) and purging disorder (PD) at long-term follow-up. It was also hypothesized that baseline differences in negative urgency between BN and PD would remain at follow-up. METHODS: Secondary analyses were conducted on a sample of women who engaged in recurrent self-induced vomiting (n = 68; 52.9% BN; 47.1% PD). Women completed diagnostic interviews and questionnaires at baseline and at a mean (SD) of 5.95 (1.58) years follow-up (range = 2.51-9.62; retention rate = 75%). RESULTS: Negative urgency did not predict eating disorder diagnostic status, recovery status, or global eating pathology at follow-up (p's = .06-.83). There were no significant differences in negative urgency across women with BN and PD at follow-up (p = .16). However, post hoc analyses indicated that negative urgency was not stable across time (ICC = .102). Increases in negative urgency from baseline to follow-up were associated with greater global eating pathology at follow-up (p = .002). CONCLUSION: Results suggest negative urgency does not predict long-term eating disorder maintenance. Negative urgency may not be a stable personality trait but rather an indicator of overall poor emotion regulation. Future research should confirm that changes in negative urgency predict chronic eating pathology over long durations of follow-up in women who have increasing negative urgency across time.

Naturalistic symptom trajectories of atypical anorexia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and bulimia nervosa in a prospective cohort study of United States college students.

OBJECTIVE: Research on the natural course of symptoms of atypical anorexia nervosa (AN) relative to AN and bulimia nervosa (BN) is limited yet needed to inform nosology and improve understanding of atypical AN. This study aimed to 1) characterize trajectories of eating disorder and internalizing (anxiety, depression) symptoms in college students with and without a history of atypical AN, AN, and BN; and 2) compare sex and race/ethnicity distributions across groups. METHOD: United States college students who participated in Spit for Science™, a prospective cohort study, were classified as having a history of atypical AN (n = 125), AN (n = 160), BN (n = 617), or as non-eating-disorder controls (NCs, n = 5876). Generalized and linear mixed-effects models assessed group differences in eating and internalizing symptom trajectories, and logistic regression compared groups on sex and race/ethnicity distributions. RESULTS: Atypical AN participants demonstrated elevated eating disorder and internalizing symptoms compared to NCs during college, but less severe symptoms than AN and BN participants. Although all eating disorder groups showed signs of improvement in fasting and driven exercise, purging and depression remained elevated. Atypical AN participants showed increasing anxiety and stable binge-eating trajectories compared to AN and/or BN participants. The atypical AN group comprised significantly more people of color than the AN group. DISCUSSION: Findings underscore that atypical AN is a severe psychiatric disorder. As atypical AN may present as less severe than AN and BN and disproportionately affects people of color, clinicians should be mindful of biases that could delay diagnosis and care. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: College students with histories of atypical AN, AN, and BN demonstrated improvements in fasting and driven exercise and stable purging and depression levels. Atypical AN students showed worsening anxiety and stable binge-eating trajectories compared to favorable changes among AN and BN students. A higher percentage of atypical AN (vs. AN) students were people of color. Findings may improve the detection of atypical AN in college students.

Prevalence and Etiology of Eating Disorders in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Scoping Review.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine-metabolic disorder affecting females across the lifespan. Eating disorders (EDs) are psychiatric conditions that may impact the development of PCOS and comorbidities including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. The aim of this scoping review was to determine the prevalence of EDs and disordered eating, and to review the etiology of EDs in PCOS. The review was conducted using search terms addressing PCOS, EDs, and disordered eating in databases, including PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. Structured interviews, self-administered questionnaires, chart review, or self-reported diagnosis were used to identify EDs in 38 studies included in the review. The prevalence of any ED in those with PCOS ranged from 0% to 62%. Those with PCOS were 3-6-fold more likely to have an ED and higher odds ratios (ORs) of an elevated ED score compared with controls. In those with PCOS, 30% had a higher OR of bulimia nervosa and binge ED was 3-fold higher compared with controls. Studies were limited on anorexia nervosa and other specified feeding or ED (such as night eating syndrome) and these were not reported to be higher in PCOS. To our knowledge, no studies reported on avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder, rumination disorder, or pica in PCOS. Studies showed strong associations between overweight, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating in PCOS. The etiologic development of EDs in PCOS remains unclear; however, psychological, metabolic, hypothalamic, and genetic factors are implicated. The prevalence of any ED in PCOS varied because of the use of different diagnostic and screening tools. Screening of all individuals with PCOS for EDs is recommended and high-quality studies on the prevalence, pathogenesis of specific EDs, relationship to comorbidities, and effective interventions to treat ED in those with PCOS are needed.

Adverse childhood experiences, low self-esteem, and salient stimulus response in eating disorders.

BACKGROUND: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are elevated in individuals with eating disorders (EDs), but how the neurobiology of EDs and ACEs interact is unclear. METHODS: Women 18-45 years old with anorexia nervosa (AN, n = 38), bulimia nervosa (BN, n = 32), or healthy controls (n = 60) were assessed for ACEs and ED behaviours and performed a taste-conditioning task during brain imaging. Mediation analyses tested relationships between ACE score, self-esteem, and ED behaviours. RESULTS: ACE scores were elevated in EDs and correlated positively with body mass index (p = 0.001), drive for thinness (p = 0.001), and body dissatisfaction (p = 0.032); low self-esteem mediated the relationship between ACEs and body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, and bulimia severity. ACE scores correlated negatively (FDR-corrected) with unexpected, salient stimulus receipt in AN (substantia nigra) and BN (anterior cingulate, frontal and insular cortex, ventral striatum, and substantia nigra). When ACE scores were included in the model, unexpected stimulus receipt brain response was elevated in EDs in the anterior cingulate and ventral striatum. CONCLUSIONS: ACEs attenuate unexpected salient stimulus receipt response, which may be a biological marker for altered valence or hedonic tone perception in EDs. Low self-esteem mediates the relationships between ACEs and ED behaviours. Adverse childhood experiences should be assessed in biological studies, and their effects targeted in treatment.