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Focus on Eating Disorders of Adolescents and Children
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Focus on Eating Disorders of Adolescents and Children

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutrition and Public Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 January 2026 | Viewed by 5634

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Amy L. Burton

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Graduate School of Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Interests: prevention and early intervention for eating disorders; detecting eating disorder risk in children; body image concerns; evidence-based treatment for eating disorders in children and adolescents; school-based interventions; community-based interventions; co-morbidities of eating disorders in children and adolescents; effective assessment of eating disorder symptoms in children and adolescents
Dr. Katarina Prnjak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Graduate School of Health, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Interests: prevention and early intervention for eating disorders; detecting eating disorder risk in children; body image concerns; evidence-based treatment for eating disorders in children and adolescents; school-based interventions; community-based interventions; co-morbidities of eating disorders in children and adolescents; effective assessment of eating disorder symptoms in children and adolescents

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to contribute your research paper or systematic review/meta-analysis to this Special Issue titled “Focus on Eating Disorders in Adolescents and Children”.

Eating disorders are serious psychiatric conditions that significantly impact the physical health, mental health and socio-occupational functioning of those impacted. Eating disorders typically emerge in adolescence, although symptoms are often experienced a few years before the onset, and can be deadly if not properly treated. The prevalence rate of eating disorders and body image disturbance amongst our youth has been increasing in recent years. Given the severity and complex comorbidities associated with these illnesses, it is imperative that research efforts focus on early detection, prevention and effective early intervention and treatments for eating disorders in adolescents and children.

The aim of this Special Issue is to highlight and encourage the dissemination of research that will help scientists and clinicians meet the challenge of how best to reduce the incidence of eating disorders and body image concerns in children and adolescents. Thus, we encourage papers on the risk factors for and aetiology of comorbid conditions in this age group, as well as research on early detection, prevention, early intervention and effective treatment of eating disorders in our young people.

Dr. Amy L. Burton
Dr. Katarina Prnjak
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • eating disorders
  • adolescents
  • children
  • anorexia nervosa
  • bulimia nervosa
  • binge eating
  • binge eating disorder
  • feeding disorders
  • avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
  • body image concerns

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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27 pages, 376 KiB  
Article
Eating Disorder Risk Among Adolescents: The Influence of Dietary Patterns, Physical Activity, and BMI
by Anca Georgiana Ispas, Alina Ioana Forray, Alexandra Lacurezeanu, Dumitru Petreuș, Laura Ioana Gavrilaș and Răzvan Mircea Cherecheș
Nutrients 2025, 17(6), 1067; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17061067 - 19 Mar 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2321
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Eating disorders (EDs) are rising among adolescents. BMI, diet, and physical activity influence ED risk, but their interactions are complex and vary by population. Considering sociocultural changes, this study investigated the prevalence and risk factors for EDs in Romanian adolescents. We evaluated [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Eating disorders (EDs) are rising among adolescents. BMI, diet, and physical activity influence ED risk, but their interactions are complex and vary by population. Considering sociocultural changes, this study investigated the prevalence and risk factors for EDs in Romanian adolescents. We evaluated demographic factors, BMI, dietary behaviors, physical activity (PA), and previous specialist consultations using the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26) and assessed the psychometric properties of the EAT-26 in this population. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 423 youths aged 13 to 20 from Cluj-Napoca. Participants completed an online survey on demographics, BMI, diet, physical activity, and previous health consultations. ED risk was assessed using the EAT-26. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were conducted on the EAT-26, and binary logistic regression identified predictors of ED risk. Results: The prevalence of ED risk was 26.5%, with females having 1.61 times higher odds than males. Consulting a weight or mental health specialist increased the odds of increased ED risk (OR = 3.76). Higher BMI showed a trend in the unadjusted model (OR = 1.06). An initial CFA of the EAT-26 showed a suboptimal fit. Over 60% of the sample reported frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods. Conclusions: Our findings highlight a significant ED risk in Romanian youth, filling a critical gap in regional public health evidence. Despite limitations due to the cross-sectional design and self-reported data, the results stress the need for measures promoting balanced diets, positive body image, and improved mental health access to reduce the growing prevalence of adolescent ED risk in Romania. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Eating Disorders of Adolescents and Children)
16 pages, 270 KiB  
Article
Prevalence and Correlates of Anabolic–Androgenic Steroid Use in Australian Adolescents
by Dominic Byatt, Kay Bussey, Tim Croft, Nora Trompeter and Deborah Mitchison
Nutrients 2025, 17(6), 980; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17060980 - 11 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1946
Abstract
Background: Within recent years, there has been a notable lack of research examining the factors associated with adolescent use of anabolic–androgenic steroids (AASs) in Australia, meaning information regarding risk factors of Australian adolescent AAS use is outdated and potentially inaccurate. Methods: To address [...] Read more.
Background: Within recent years, there has been a notable lack of research examining the factors associated with adolescent use of anabolic–androgenic steroids (AASs) in Australia, meaning information regarding risk factors of Australian adolescent AAS use is outdated and potentially inaccurate. Methods: To address this omission, the present study examined the prevalence and correlates of adolescent (aged 11 to 19 years) AAS use within the EveryBODY study, a large-scale representative survey of adolescents’ disordered eating behaviours and body image concerns, involving 5071 adolescents across thirteen schools within the Sydney and Newcastle/Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. Results: A total of 1.1% of adolescents reported lifetime use of AAS to increase muscularity. In univariate analyses, increased prevalence of AAS use was associated with male sex (OR = 5.67), identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (OR = 3.80), identifying as same-sex or questioning sexual attraction (OR = 3.17), higher drive for muscularity (OR = 2.19) and weight/shape concerns in the past month (OR = 1.28), and higher frequency of purging (OR = 1.11) and binge eating (OR = 1.09) in the past month. In multivariate analysis, only drive for muscularity (OR = 2.44) and purging behaviours (OR = 1.10) remained as significant correlates. Finally, adolescents who reported lifetime AAS use also reported feeling significantly higher levels of distress and physical and psychosocial impairment compared to adolescents who reported never having used AAS to increase muscularity. Conclusions: Positive correlations between disordered eating and weight and shape concerns with AAS use suggests that adolescent AAS use may be conceptualised within the spectra of disordered eating among youth. These findings provide clinicians, carers, and educators with prototypical factors that should assist in the screening of adolescent AAS use to facilitate early intervention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Eating Disorders of Adolescents and Children)

Review

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19 pages, 312 KiB  
Review
Advancements in Family-Based Treatment of Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: A Review of Access Barriers and Telehealth Solutions
by Ashlea Hambleton, Daniel Le Grange, Stephen Touyz and Sarah Maguire
Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2160; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132160 - 28 Jun 2025
Viewed by 102
Abstract
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric illness with serious medical and physiological implications. Anorexia Nervosa is characterised by significant disruptions in weight, growth and physical health resulting from disordered behaviours such as food restriction, purging and inappropriate exercise. The illness is associated with [...] Read more.
Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a psychiatric illness with serious medical and physiological implications. Anorexia Nervosa is characterised by significant disruptions in weight, growth and physical health resulting from disordered behaviours such as food restriction, purging and inappropriate exercise. The illness is associated with substantial physical, psychological, social and economic burdens affecting all areas of functioning. Typically emerging in adolescence, AN can have a chronic course and high risk of mortality, with evidence suggesting that approximately 10% of individuals diagnosed with AN will die from medical complications or completed suicide. Whilst inpatient treatment reduces mortality risks through nutritional and weight restoration, outpatient treatment is the preferred level of intervention. In the case of adolescents, family-based treatment (FBT) is the recommended and most researched outpatient model for medically stable adolescents. However, access to FBT is limited, and there are several barriers that exist to receiving care from trained clinicians. This review provides a literature update on studies reporting the real-world access challenges for FBT, with particular attention paid to non-research settings. The review also highlights how digitally delivered treatment, specifically telehealth, has been used to increase access to FBT and examines the preliminary outcomes of telehealth-delivered FBT, which appear comparable to traditional in-person care. Despite these promising findings, provider, intervention and systemic factors have challenged the delivery of traditional in-person and telehealth FBT in real-world settings. Critical areas for future research include the need to understand the impact of potential confounders and what adaptions may be required to increase model feasibility in community settings, where access to specialist services is often limited and access challenges are most felt. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Eating Disorders of Adolescents and Children)
30 pages, 502 KiB  
Review
A Scoping Review of Eating Disorder Prevention and Body Image Programs Delivered in Australian Schools
by Sharri Sarraj, Sophie L. Berry and Amy L. Burton
Nutrients 2025, 17(13), 2118; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132118 - 26 Jun 2025
Viewed by 147
Abstract
Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are complex conditions with significant psychological, physical, and economic impacts, prompting national calls to prioritize ED prevention. Despite numerous prevention programs being implemented in Australian schools, no review to date has systematically mapped their scope, design, and outcomes. Aims: [...] Read more.
Background: Eating disorders (EDs) are complex conditions with significant psychological, physical, and economic impacts, prompting national calls to prioritize ED prevention. Despite numerous prevention programs being implemented in Australian schools, no review to date has systematically mapped their scope, design, and outcomes. Aims: This scoping review aimed to map the current landscape of school-based ED prevention programs conducted in Australia. The review focused on their methodological features, participant and school characteristics, data collected, and key findings. Method: Four electronic databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Scopus) were searched for relevant papers published from 2010 to February 2025. Studies were included if they reported on a school-based ED prevention program targeting Australian students. Data were extracted and narratively synthesized. Results: A total of 23 studies were identified, representing a range of universal and selective prevention programs. Programs varied in design, delivery, and target populations, with most focusing on students in Grades 7–8. Universal media literacy programs like Media Smart showed good outcomes for boys and girls, while several selective programs demonstrated improvements in body image for girls. Interventions targeting boys or using mindfulness approaches often lacked effectiveness or caused unintended harm. Major gaps in the literature include a lack of qualitative research, limited long-term follow-up, and minimal focus on protective factors. Conclusion: While a range of ED prevention programs have been trialed in Australian schools, few have been rigorously evaluated or demonstrated sustained effectiveness. There is a need for developmentally appropriate, gender-sensitive, and culturally inclusive prevention efforts in schools. Future research should use diverse methods, include underrepresented groups, assess long-term outcomes, integrate broader sociocultural factors shaping students’ environment, and consider enhancing protective factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Eating Disorders of Adolescents and Children)
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