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

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

McMaster, Caitlin M 
Johnson, Brittany J  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5492-9219

Abstract

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

Description

Peer reviewed: True


Funder: Sydney Medical School Foundation (University of Sydney)


Funder: Scott Rudolph University Endowed Professorship at Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine

Keywords

behavior change, delivery features, dieting, disordered eating, intervention strategies, obesity, overweight, Adult, Middle Aged, Behavior Control, Consensus, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Obesity, Overweight, Social Stigma, Surveys and Questionnaires, Humans, Body Weight Maintenance, Male, Female

Journal Title

Nutrients

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2072-6643
2072-6643

Volume Title

Publisher

MDPI AG
Sponsorship
MRC (MC_UU_00006/6)