Examining the placement of atypical anorexia nervosa in the eating disorder diagnostic hierarchy relative to bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder.

OBJECTIVE: Some individuals meet the criteria for atypical anorexia nervosa and another eating disorder simultaneously. The current study evaluated whether allowing a diagnosis of atypical anorexia nervosa to supersede a diagnosis of bulimia nervosa (BN) or binge-eating disorder (BED) provided additional information on psychological functioning. METHODS: Archival data from 650 university students (87.7% female, 69.4% white) who met Eating Disorder Diagnostic Survey for DSM-5 eating disorder criteria and completed questionnaires assessing quality of life, eating disorder-related impairment, and/or eating pathology at a single time point. Separate regression models used diagnostic category to predict quality of life and impairment. Two diagnostic schemes were used: the DSM-5 diagnostic scheme and an alternative scheme where atypical anorexia nervosa superseded all diagnoses except anorexia nervosa. Model fit was compared using the Davidson-Mackinnon J test. Analyses were pre-registered (https://osf.io/2ejcd). RESULTS: Allowing an atypical anorexia nervosa diagnosis to supersede a BN or BED diagnosis provided better fit to the data for eating disorder-related impairment (p = .02; n = 271), but not physical, psychological, or social quality of life (p's ≥ .33; n = 306). Allowing an atypical anorexia nervosa diagnosis to supersede a BN or BED diagnosis provided a better fit in cross-sectional models predicting purging (p = .02; n = 638), but not body dissatisfaction, binge eating, restricting, or excessive exercise (p's ≥ .08; n's = 633-647). DISCUSSION: The current data support retaining the DSM-5 diagnostic scheme. More longitudinal work is needed to understand the predictive validity of the atypical anorexia nervosa diagnosis. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: The current study examined how changes to the diagnostic categories for eating disorders may change how diagnoses are associated with quality of life and impairment. Overall, findings suggest that the diagnostic hierarchy should be maintained.

Comparing changes in eating disorder psychopathology and comorbid symptoms over treatment in anorexia nervosa and atypical anorexia nervosa in a partial hospitalization program.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to compare treatment trajectories in anorexia nervosa (AN) and atypical AN. METHOD: Adolescents and adults with AN (n = 319) or atypical AN (n = 67) in a partial hospitalization program (PHP) completed diagnostic interviews and self-report questionnaires measuring eating disorder (ED), depression, and anxiety symptoms throughout treatment. RESULTS: Premorbid weight loss did not differ between diagnoses. Individuals with atypical AN had more comorbid diagnoses, but groups did not differ on specific diagnoses. ED psychopathology and comorbid symptoms of depression/anxiety did not differ at admission between groups nor did rate of change in ED psychopathology and comorbid symptoms of depression/anxiety from admission to 1-month. From admission to discharge, individuals with atypical AN had a faster reduction in ED psychopathology and comorbid symptoms of depression and anxiety (ps < 0.05; rs = 0.01-0.32); however, there were no group differences in ED psychopathology or depression symptoms at discharge (ps>.50; ds = .01-.30). Individuals with atypical AN had lower anxiety at discharge compared to individuals with AN (p = 0.05; d = .4). Length of stay did not differ between groups (p = 0.11; d = .21). DISCUSSION: Groups had similar ED treatment trajectories, suggesting more similarities than differences. PHP may also be effective for AAN. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study supports previous research that individuals with AN and atypical AN have more similarities than differences. Results from this study indicate that individuals with AN and atypical AN have similar treatment outcomes for both ED psychopathology and depressive symptoms; however, individuals with atypical AN have lower anxiety symptoms at discharge compared to individuals with AN. AN and atypical AN also have more symptom similarity at admission and throughout treatment, which challenges their current designation as distinct disorders.

Dissonance-Based Eating Disorder Prevention for Body-Dissatisfied Brazilian Cisgender Gay and Bisexual Men: A Randomized Controlled Trial With a 1-Year Follow-Up.

OBJECTIVE: Gay and bisexual men are at an increased risk for eating disorders (EDs) and muscle dysmorphia (MD) compared with their heterosexual counterparts. Existing dissonance-based (DB) EDs prevention programs for this population have been evaluated in the United States; however, these programs have not been evaluated in the Brazilian context. Thus, we investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a DB ED prevention program (i.e., the PRIDE Body Project) among Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual men. METHOD: Eligible men were randomly assigned to either a DB intervention (n = 74) condition or an assessment-only control (AOC) condition (n = 75). Participants completed measures assessing ED and MD risk and protective factors at baseline, post-intervention, 1-month, 6-month, and 1-year follow-up. Those in the intervention condition also completed acceptability measures. RESULTS: Feasibility and acceptability ratings were highly favorable. Regarding efficacy, post-intervention results were not significant, except for self-objectification, which showed a significantly greater decrease in the DB condition compared with the AOC condition at all time-points of follow-ups (Cohen's d = -0.31 to -0.76). At follow-up, the DB condition showed significantly greater decreases in appearance-ideal internalization, drive for muscularity, self-objectification, ED and MD symptoms at 1-month, 6-month, and 1-year follow-ups (d = -0.33 to -0.92) compared with the AOC condition. Significant increases were observed in the DB compared with the AOC condition for body appreciation at 1-month, 6-month, and 1-year follow-ups (d = 0.31-0.81). DISCUSSION: Results support the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of the PRIDE Body Project up to 1-year in Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual men. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC; available at http://www.ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/) number of registration: RBR-62fctqz.

Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating (PRIDE): A case series of an eating disorder treatment for sexual minority individuals.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the increased risk for eating disorders (EDs) among sexual minority (SM) individuals, no ED treatments exist specifically for this population. SM stress and appearance-based pressures may initiate and/or maintain ED symptoms in SM individuals; thus, incorporating strategies to reduce SM stressors into existing treatments may help address SM individuals' increased ED risk. This mixed-methods study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of Promoting Resilience to Improve Disordered Eating (PRIDE)-a novel ED treatment for SM individuals. METHODS: N = 14 SM individuals with an ED diagnosis received 14 weekly sessions integrating Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for EDs (CBT-E) with techniques and principles of SM-affirmative CBT developed to address SM stressors. Participants completed qualitative interviews and assessments of ED symptoms and SM stress reactions at baseline (pretreatment), posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: Supporting feasibility, 12 of the 14 (85.7%) enrolled participants completed treatment, and qualitative and quantitative data supported PRIDE's acceptability (quantitative rating = 3.73/4). By 1-month follow-up, 75% of the sample was fully remitted from an ED diagnosis. Preliminary efficacy results suggested large and significant improvements in ED symptoms, clinical impairment, and body dissatisfaction, significant medium-large improvements in internalized stigma and nonsignificant small-medium effects of sexual orientation concealment. DISCUSSION: Initial results support the feasibility, acceptability, and initial efficacy of PRIDE, an ED treatment developed to address SM stressors. Future research should evaluate PRIDE in a larger sample, compare it to an active control condition, and explore whether reductions in SM stress reactions explain reductions in ED symptoms. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study evaluated a treatment for SM individuals with EDs that integrated empirically supported ED treatment with SM-affirmative treatment in a case series. Results support that this treatment was well-accepted by participants and was associated with improvements in ED symptoms and minority stress outcomes.

Early change in gastric-specific anxiety sensitivity as a predictor of eating disorder treatment outcome.

Eating disorders (EDs) are often accompanied by gastrointestinal (GI) distress. Anxiety sensitivity is the tendency to interpret sensations of anxiety as threatening or dangerous, and includes both broad physical symptoms (e.g., elevated heartrate) and GI-specific symptoms. Physical and GI-specific anxiety sensitivity may be important risk and maintaining factors in EDs. This study tested the hypothesis that greater reductions in both types of anxiety sensitivity during the first month of treatment would predict lower ED symptoms and trait anxiety at discharge and 6-month follow-up. Patients (n = 424) in ED treatment reported physical and GI-specific anxiety sensitivity, ED symptoms, and trait anxiety at treatment admission, 1-month into treatment, discharge, and 6-month follow-up. Analyses were conducted with hierarchical linear regression with imputation, controlling for relevant covariates. Results indicated that early reduction in GI-specific but not general physical anxiety sensitivity predicted both lower ED symptoms and lower trait anxiety at discharge and 6-month follow-up. These findings demonstrate the importance of GI-specific anxiety sensitivity as a potential maintaining factor in EDs. Developing and refining treatments to target GI-specific anxiety sensitivity may have promise in improving the treatment not only of EDs, but also of commonly co-morbid anxiety disorders.

Examining eating disorder pathology and self-stigma of help-seeking behaviors in a community sample of sexual minority adults: an intersectional investigation of race and gender.

BACKGROUND: Self-stigma of seeking psychological help is a critical factor prohibiting individuals from seeking eating disorder (ED) treatment, but has been widely unexplored in racial/ethnic and sexual minority (SM) samples. The current study examined differences in ED pathology and self-stigma of help-seeking at the intersection of race and gender within a cisgender SM sample. METHODS: Cisgender SM participants (n = 354) identifying as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC; 52%), Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI; 24%), or White (24%) were recruited through Prolific Academic. One-way analyses of variance were used to examine differences in the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (SSOSH) and Eating Pathology Symptom Inventory (EPSI) subscales among men and women in each group. Pearson's correlations explored associations between SSOSH and EPSI subscales within each subgroup. RESULTS: Findings indicated significant between-group differences on the SSOSH and the EPSI subscales of Body Dissatisfaction, Purging, and Excessive Exercise. SSOSH was significantly positively correlated with Body Dissatisfaction in the White SM cis-women group and Binge Eating in the BIPOC SM cis-men group. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate unique, intersectional between-group differences in ED pathology and self-stigma among SM individuals. Further research on the impact of intersectionality on these constructs within larger samples is warranted.

Differential effects of community involvement on eating disorder prevention outcomes in sexual minority men.

Prior research has been conflicted on whether gay community involvement serves as a risk or protective factor for body image and eating disorders (EDs) in sexual minority men (SMM), perhaps given that prior research has examined community involvement unidimensionally. The present study examined whether non-appearance-based ("social activism") and appearance-based ("going out/nightlife") community involvement differentially predicted ED prevention outcomes in SMM. SMM (N = 73) enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of an ED prevention program completed measures of community involvement, drive for muscularity, body dissatisfaction, and bulimic symptoms at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up. "Social activism" community involvement moderated intervention effects for drive for muscularity and body dissatisfaction scores, but not bulimic symptoms, such that those who placed higher importance on social activism demonstrated expected improvements, while those who placed lower importance on social activism did not exhibit expected improvements. "Going out/nightlife" community involvement did not moderate intervention outcomes; however, greater importance of going out/nightlife was associated with increased body dissatisfaction. Findings support that the impact of community involvement on body image and ED risk for SMM may be nuanced. Encouraging community involvement through activism could help enhance ED prevention efforts for SMM.

Treatment of avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder in an older adult: A proof-of-concept case study.

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive behavioral therapy for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID; CBT-AR) is an emerging treatment for ARFID. However, this treatment modality has yet to be examined among older adults (e.g., older than 50 years) or with adults presenting with feeding tubes. To inform future versions of CBT-AR, we present the results of a singular case study (G) of an older male with the sensory sensitivity phenotype of ARFID who presented for treatment with a gastrostomy tube. METHODS: G was a 71-year-old male who completed eight sessions of CBT-AR in a doctoral training clinic. ARFID symptom severity and comorbid eating pathology changes were examined pre- and post-treatment. RESULTS: Posttreatment, G reported significant decreases in ARFID symptom severity and no longer met diagnostic criteria for ARFID. Furthermore, throughout treatment, G reported significant increases in his oral food consumption (vs. calories being pushed through the feeding tube), solid food consumption, and the feeding tube was ultimately removed. DISCUSSION: This study provides proof of concept that CBT-AR is potentially effective for older adults and/or those presenting for treatment with feeding tubes. Validation of patient efforts and severity of ARFID symptoms emerged as core to treatment success and should be emphasized when training clinicians in CBT-AR. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Cognitive behavior therapy for ARFID (CBT-AR) is the leading treatment for this disorder; however, it has yet to be tested among older adults or those with feeding tubes. This single-patient case study demonstrates that CBT-AR may be efficacious in reducing ARFID symptom severity among older adults with a feeding tube.

Psychometric properties of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire among Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual adult men.

OBJECTIVE: One of the most widely used assessment tools for disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), has not yet been evaluated in Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual men-an at-risk population given the extent of minority stressors in Brazilian culture. The present study aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the EDE-Q among Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual adult men. METHOD: The Brazilian EDE-Q was administered to a sample of 1409 gay and bisexual adult men, along with measures of self-objectification, body-ideal internalization, drive for muscularity, muscle dysmorphia symptoms, and body appreciation. The factor structure of the Brazilian EDE-Q was assessed using a two-step, split-sample exploratory (EFA; n = 704) and confirmatory factor analytic approach (CFA; n = 705). Additionally, convergent validity, internal consistency, and 2-week test-retest reliability were assessed. RESULTS: Findings from an EFA and CFA revealed a one-factor structure with 22 items and adequate internal consistency (ω = .92, 95% CI = [.91, .93]). Moreover, the scale demonstrated good 2-week test-retest reliability (ICC = .86, 95% CI = [.82, .88], p < .001). The EDE-Q scores showed positive associations with self-objectification, body-ideal internalization, muscle dysmorphia symptoms, and drive for muscularity, as well as a negative association with body appreciation. DISCUSSION: Results provide support for the use of the EDE-Q using a one-factor structure in Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual adult men and give insights for future studies on eating disorders in sexual minorities in Latin America. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) is one of the most widely used self-report measures of eating disorder symptoms. However, there is a lack of research on the validity and reliability of the EDE-Q in Latin American countries. This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the EDE-Q in Brazilian cisgender gay and bisexual adult men. Our findings give insights for future studies on eating disorders in sexual minorities in Latin America.

Investigating the factor structure and measurement invariance of the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) in a community sample of gender minority adults from the United States.

OBJECTIVE: The Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) is one of the most widely used self-report assessments of eating disorder symptoms. However, evidence indicates potential problems with its original factor structure and associated psychometric properties in a variety of populations, including gender minority populations. The aim of the current investigation was to explore several previously published EDE-Q factor structures and to examine internal consistency and measurement invariance of the best-fitting EDE-Q model in a large community sample of gender minority adults. METHODS: Data were drawn from 1567 adults (337 transgender men, 180 transgender women, and 1050 gender-expansive individuals) who participated in The PRIDE Study, a large-scale longitudinal cohort study of sexual and gender minorities from the United States. A series of confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were conducted to explore the fit of eight proposed EDE-Q models; internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas, Omega coefficients) and measurement invariance (multi-group CFA) were subsequently evaluated. RESULTS: A brief seven-item, three-factor (dietary restraint, shape/weight overvaluation, body dissatisfaction) model of the EDE-Q consistently evidenced the best fit across gender minority groups (transgender men, transgender women, gender-expansive individuals). The internal consistencies of the three subscales were adequate in all groups, and measurement invariance across the groups was supported. DISCUSSION: Taken together, these findings support the use of the seven-item, three-factor version of the EDE-Q for assessing eating disorder symptomatology in gender minority populations. Future studies can confirm the current findings in focused examinations of the seven-item, three-factor EDE-Q in diverse gender minority samples across race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and age ranges. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Although transgender individuals have greater risk of developing an eating disorder, the factor structure of the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire, one of the most widely used eating disorder assessment measures, has not been explored in transgender adults. We found that a seven-item model including three factors of dietary restraint, shape and weight overvaluation, and body dissatisfaction had the best fit among transgender and nonbinary adults.

Eating Disorders in Boys and Men.

While boys and men have historically been underrepresented in eating disorder research, increasing interest and research during the twenty-first century have contributed important knowledge to the field. In this article, we review the epidemiology of eating disorders and muscle dysmorphia (the pathological pursuit of muscularity) in boys and men; specific groups of men at increased risk for eating disorders; sociocultural, psychological, and biological vulnerability factors; and male-specific assessment measures. We also provide an overview of current research on eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia prevention efforts, treatment outcomes, and mortality risk in samples of boys and men. Priorities for future research are including boys and men in epidemiological studies to track changes in incidence, identifying (neuro)biological factors contributing to risk, eliminating barriers to treatment access and utilization, and refining male-specific prevention and treatment efforts.

Examining the reliability and validity of the ICD-11 personality disorder severity diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES: The International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition includes a new personality disorder diagnosis, in light of growing concerns of the categorical personality disorder diagnoses. The purpose of the current study was to examine the reliability and validity of the severity dimension of the new International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition diagnosis, through multi-method assessment. METHOD: In a community mental health sample (n = 311), we examined the interrater reliability of the severity diagnosis and evaluated the diagnosis against self-report measures of dimensional personality pathology and psychopathology constructs and traditional categorical and informant-report measures. RESULTS: Intraclass correlations indicated 'excellent' reliability of the diagnostic ratings. Large associations were observed between the International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition clinician diagnosis and overall impairment measures. Generally, the International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition clinician diagnosis exhibited largest associations with measures of internalising dysfunction, and more variable associations with interpersonal and externalising impairment. The International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition clinician diagnosis showed a large association with borderline personality disorder symptom scores and moderate associations with Paranoid, Schizoid and Avoidant personality disorder scores. Similar patterns emerged of the associations between the International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition personality disorder diagnosis with self-report and informant-report measures, although the associations were larger with self-report measures. CONCLUSION: These findings provide promising initial evidence for the reliability and validity of the new International Classification of Diseases, 11th edition personality disorder diagnosis, indicating that the new conceptualisation of personality disorders may address issues within the categorical model.

Using clinical cutoff scores on the eating disorder examination-questionnaire to evaluate eating disorder symptoms during and after naturalistic intensive treatment.

Clinical cutoff scores for self-report measures provide a means of evaluating clinically significant pathology during and after treatment. A cutoff of 2.8 on the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) has been recommended to screen for eating disorders (ED). We used this cutoff to assess ED symptoms in adolescents (n = 444) and adults (n = 592) through ED treatment and follow-up. Most patients scored above 2.8 at intake (adolescents 67%, M = 3.21; adults 78%, M = 4.20) and below 2.8 at discharge (adolescents 65%, M = 1.87; adults 66%, M = 2.67), with gains often maintained through follow-up (40% of adolescents and 35% of adults at 12-month follow-up). EDE-Q scores were higher in adults than adolescents and in patients with binge/purge disorders. Results suggest a cutoff of 2.8 on the EDE-Q effectively tracks ED symptom improvement through treatment and discharge. This supports the need for the development of culture-specific and empirically developed clinical cutoffs and their widespread use to evaluate program effectiveness.

Changes in anhedonia over the course of eating disorder treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Anhedonia, a transdiagnostic symptom referring to the loss of ability to experience pleasure, is heightened across eating disorder (ED) diagnoses. This study aimed to assess whether anhedonia changes during ED treatment and explore how changes in anhedonia relate to treatment outcome. METHOD: Adults and adolescents in a partial hospitalization program for EDs (N = 499) completed the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the anhedonia subscale of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) at admission and discharge. RESULTS: Anhedonia scores significantly decreased from admission to discharge. Anhedonia at admission was also significantly different across ED diagnostic groups. To examine how study variables related to discharge EDE-Q scores, a hierarchical linear regression was conducted with demographic, diagnostic, and medication variables in the first step, anhedonia and EDE-Q scores at admission added to the second step, and anhedonia at discharge added to the final step. Greater anhedonia at discharge was related to higher EDE-Q scores at discharge. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that anhedonia changes significantly over the course of intensive treatment and changes in anhedonia relate to ED symptoms at discharge. Future research is needed to determine whether specifically targeting anhedonia in ED treatment may influence treatment outcomes. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: The findings from this study suggest that anhedonia may decrease during eating disorder (ED) treatment, and greater anhedonia may relate to elevated ED symptoms. These results provide support for the continued study of anhedonia in ED samples and indicate that anhedonia should be explored as a potential target for novel ED treatments.

Family functioning and eating disorders treatment in a partial hospitalization program in adolescent females with eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research examining family functioning in eating disorder (ED) treatment has focused primarily on outpatient settings. However, few studies have examined this aspect in partial hospitalization programs. To address this gap, this study examined family functioning over the course of an ED partial hospitalization program (PHP) in adolescent females (M(SD) age = 15.66 (1.50)). METHOD: Participants (n = 105) completed the Family Assessment Device and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire at treatment admission, 1-month post-admission, and discharge. RESULTS: Results from repeated measures analysis of variance indicated adolescents perceived an improvement in family functioning regarding Communication, Affective Responsiveness, and Behavioral Control through 1-year follow-up (p values < .05). Neither family functioning at admission nor change in family functioning in the first month correlated with any outcomes (weight, ED symptoms, and remission). DISCUSSION: Results support that family functioning does not contribute to ED severity, and that treatment can improve adolescent perception of family functioning. Given the importance of involving the family in ED treatment, identifying mediators of treatment outcomes is critical to improve treatment efficacy. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: Adolescents in a partial hospital program (PHP) for eating disorders (EDs) perceived improvements in their family communication, behavior, and ability to process appropriate emotions from admission to 1-year post-treatment, although these aspects did not significantly predict treatment outcomes. The findings provide helpful information for future research on adolescents with EDs in higher levels of care and underscore the importance of exploring mechanisms of family-based treatment in PHP.

Evaluating the predictive validity of purging disorder by comparison to bulimia nervosa at long-term follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: The current study sought to examine the predictive validity of the purging disorder diagnosis at long-term follow-up by comparing naturalistic outcomes with bulimia nervosa. METHOD: Women with purging disorder (N = 84) or bulimia nervosa (N = 133) who had completed comprehensive baseline assessments as part of one of three studies between 2000 and 2012 were sought for follow-up assessment. Nearly all (94.5%) responded to recruitment materials and 150 (69% of sought sample; 83.3% non-Hispanic white; 33.40 [7.63] years old) participated at an average of 10.59 (3.71) years follow-up. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, and a questionnaire battery. Diagnostic groups were compared on eating disorder (illness status, recovery status, and eating pathology) and related outcomes. Group differences in predictors of outcome were explored. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in eating disorder presence (p = .70), recovery status (p = .87), and level of eating pathology (p = .17) between diagnostic groups at follow-up. Post hoc equivalence tests indicated group differences were smaller than a medium effect size (p's ≤ .005). Groups differed in diagnosis at follow-up (p = .002); diagnostic stability was more likely than cross-over to bulimia nervosa for women with baseline purging disorder (p = .004). DISCUSSION: Although purging disorder and bulimia nervosa do not differ in long-term outcomes, the relative stability in clinical presentation suggests baseline group differences in clinical presentation may be useful in augmenting treatments for purging disorder. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: While purging disorder is classified as an "other specified" eating disorder, individuals who experience this disorder have comparable negative long-term outcomes as those with bulimia nervosa. This highlights the importance of screening for and treating purging disorder as a full-threshold eating disorder.

Appearance and performance-enhancing drugs and supplements, eating disorders, and muscle dysmorphia among gender minority people.

OBJECTIVE: Appearance and performance-enhancing drugs and supplements (APEDS) can be used to enhance muscle growth, athletic performance, and physical appearance. The aim of this study was to examine the lifetime use of APEDS and associations with eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia symptoms among gender minority people. METHOD: Participants were 1653 gender minority individuals (1120 gender-expansive [defined as a broad range of gender identities that are generally situated outside of the woman-man gender binary, e.g., genderqueer, nonbinary] people, 352 transgender men, and 181 transgender women) recruited from The Population Research in Identity and Disparities for Equality Study in 2018. Regression analyses stratified by gender identity examined associations of any APEDS use with eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia symptom scores. RESULTS: Lifetime APEDS use was common across groups (30.7% of gender-expansive people, 45.2% of transgender men, and 14.9% of transgender women). Protein supplements and creatine supplements were the most commonly used APEDS. Among gender-expansive people and transgender men, lifetime use of any APEDS was significantly associated with higher eating disorder scores, dietary restraint, binge eating, compelled/driven exercise, and muscle dysmorphia symptoms. Any APEDS use was additionally associated with laxative use among gender-expansive people. Among transgender women, use of any APEDS was not significantly associated with eating disorder or muscle dysmorphia symptoms. DISCUSSION: APEDS use is common and associated with eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia symptoms in gender-expansive people and transgender men, thus highlighting the importance of assessing for these behaviors and symptoms among these populations, particularly in clinical settings. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study aimed to examine APEDS use among gender minority people. We found that 30.7% of gender-expansive (e.g., nonbinary) people, 45.2% of transgender men, and 14.9% of transgender women reported lifetime APEDS use, which was associated with eating disorder and muscle dysmorphia symptoms in transgender men and gender-expansive people. Clinicians should assess for these behaviors in gender minority populations.

Internalization of muscularity and thinness ideals: Associations with body dissatisfaction, eating disorder symptoms, and muscle dysmorphic symptoms in at risk sexual minority men.

OBJECTIVE: In the tripartite influence model, appearance-ideal internalization is identified as a prominent risk factor for the development of body dissatisfaction and subsequent eating disorder (ED) behaviors. For men, prior research has emphasized the importance of both thin-ideal internalization and muscular-ideal internalization in explaining later ED behaviors and muscle dysmorphia (MD) symptoms. Previous research in heterosexual men has shown that the associations between muscular-ideal internalization and ED or MD symptoms may depend on whether the individual has also internalized the thin ideal. However, this interaction has not been examined in research with sexual minority men (SMM). METHOD: The current study collected self-report data from 452 at risk SMM (i.e., endorsed body dissatisfaction), with ages ranging from 18 to 35 years. Linear regression models were conducted to test the interaction effects between thinness and muscularity internalization on ED symptoms, MD behaviors, and general body dissatisfaction. Simple slopes and the Johnson-Neyman technique were used to investigate significant interaction terms. RESULTS: Thin- and muscular-ideal internalization were positively associated with muscular appearance intolerance and dietary restriction with no significant interaction. Muscular drive for size was highest when both muscularity internalization and thinness internalization were high. Muscular-ideal internalization was positively associated with both cognitive restraint and general body dissatisfaction, but only at lower levels of thinness internalization. DISCUSSION: Given the interacting association between thinness and muscularity internalization and aspects of body dissatisfaction, attitudes, and behavior, prevention and intervention programs for EDs and MDs in SMM should seek to dismantle both thinness and muscularity internalization. PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Internalizing-or adopting as one's own-the ideal of a body with low body fat and high muscularity has been shown to lead to muscle dysmorphia and eating disorder symptoms in men. The current study examines whether the combination of thin-ideal and muscular-ideal internalization is associated with worse symptoms than either facet alone in sexual minority men. Treatment efforts in sexual minority men should address both types of internalization.

Exploring the role of disgust sensitivity and propensity in selective eating.

While disgust is a clinically and theoretically relevant construct for selective eating, limited research has examined how different aspects of disgust relate to selective eating severity in adults. Thus, the present study sought to 1) compare disgust propensity (how easily people are disgusted) and disgust sensitivity (how unpleasant disgust is) across a spectrum of selective eaters, 2) explore the specificity of the associations between disgust sensitivity/propensity and selective eating across selective eating and related phenotypes, and 3) explore whether the relationship between selective eating and disgust is food-specific. Participants were 554 adults recruited on Amazon's Mechanical Turk who completed cross-sectional surveys on study constructs. The sample was recruited to over-represent individuals with high levels of selective eating. Results support that disgust propensity, but not sensitivity, was elevated in the impaired selective eating group compared to non-impaired selective eaters and non-selective eaters. Only the selective eating phenotype was independently associated with both disgust sensitivity and propensity. Correlation results supported that the associations between selective eating and disgust were specific to the disgust elicited by food (i.e., animal protein, fruits, vegetables). Overall, results support that disgust propensity and disgust sensitivity play a role in selective eating. Results imply that disgust sensitivity associated with selective eating appears limited to the food domain and may be more specific to disgust eliciting food itself, rather than signs of food contamination or spoilage.

Exploring changes in alexithymia throughout intensive dialectical behavior therapy for eating disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Alexithymia is proposed as a prominent clinical feature of eating disorders (EDs). However, despite theoretical reason to believe that alexithymia could interfere with the success of treatments, few studies have tested whether alexithymia changes over the course of treatment. The goals of the current study were to evaluate (a) changes in alexithymia over the course of intensive Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for EDs, and (b) associations between alexithymia and ED symptoms over time. METHOD: A mixed-diagnostic group of patients with EDs (N = 894) completed the Eating Disorders Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) throughout intensive treatment and at various lengths of follow-up (6, 12, 24 months). RESULTS: Results suggested that even after controlling for relevant covariates, there were significant decreases in alexithymia from intake to discharge and discharge to follow-up. Models exploring changes in self-reported ED symptoms indicated that TAS-20 scores significantly related to ED symptoms across timepoints, such that greater alexithymia was associated with greater severity of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, findings support an association between alexithymia and ED symptoms over treatment and suggest that emotion-focussed therapies like DBT may result in decreases in alexithymia. Future research should explore whether this effect is consistent across therapies without an emotional focus.