Overview
The eating disorders program focuses on improving prevention, early identification and intervention, and treatment of eating disorders.
Our research uses a range of biological and psychosocial measures to gain a better understanding of how eating disorders develop and are maintained, and we develop and trial novel therapies.
Why is this research area important?
Eating disorders most often first occur in young people and are conditions that can be long-standing if not adequately treated early in their course.
While current treatments for eating disorders can be effective for some individuals, many people do not respond as well as we would like, leaving as many as half unresponsive to treatment.
The eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, is also associated with the highest death rate of any mental illness and poor long-term recovery rates for a large proportion of individuals.
To improve outcomes for people with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders, we need a better understanding of what contributes to the illness so we can better target prevention and treatment.
Key questions
Our research in this area considers important questions about eating disorders including:
- What biological and psychosocial factors and mechanisms contribute to the development and maintenance of eating disorders?
- How do we identify people early in the course of their eating disorder?
- How can we develop more effective treatments for eating disorders?