About this Research Topic
Eating disorders and related concerns about appearance can affect any individual regardless of age, body weight, ethnicity, gender expression, gender identity, nationality, race, sexual identity, or socioeconomic status. Yet, the history of the eating disorders field has been marred by a severely limited understanding of the sociodemographic diversity of those who struggle with the serious symptoms and consequences of these conditions, particularly with regard to how distinct sociocultural and sociopolitical pressures, attitudes, and experiences across groups may impact onset, maintenance, prevention/intervention, and recovery. This is especially concerning given that many of those who have been under-recognized and under-served come from populations that have been marginalized, stigmatized, exploited, or oppressed.
Despite continued under-representation of many populations in the context of eating disorder-related research and treatment, there recently has been greater acknowledgement of the crucial need to broaden our awareness and understanding of the manifestation, correlates, and treatment of eating disorder symptoms and related concerns across more wide-ranging populations, including in a global context. As such, the overarching goal of this Research Topic is to collect contributions that will expand scientific knowledge about eating disorders, disordered eating, and appearance concerns among under-researched and under-served populations from around the world.
We invite submissions covering a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to: prevention or treatment considerations or outcome data; associations with and/or impact of discrimination or prejudice; minority stress; acculturation; weight stigma; studies applying embodiment theory; intersectional approaches; studies within a diversity science framework; mental health and healthcare disparities; co-occurring psychological symptoms or physical health concerns; quality of life and/or impairment; sociocultural factors, influences, and theories; food insecurity; measurement/assessment; public health considerations; epidemiological data.
Submissions of various formats are welcomed, including: original research articles, brief research reports, clinical trials, systematic reviews, reviews, mini reviews, policy and practice reviews, methods, perspective, hypothesis and theory, and conceptual analysis. Research papers utilizing quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches are applicable. Submissions that report data on understudied populations from around the world are particularly encouraged, as are those that address marginalized and/or stigmatized groups. Submissions authored or co-authored by professionals from different fields and disciplines (e.g., psychology, psychiatry, medicine, nutrition, social work, epidemiology, public health, diversity science, etc.) also are welcome, including those that take an interdisciplinary approach.
Keywords: Eating Disorder, Disordered Eating, Eating Pathology, Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder, Body Image, Body Dissatisfaction, Diversity, Inclusivity, Race, Ethnicity, Sexual Identity, Gender Identity, Weight Stigma, Discrimination, Nationality, Intersectional, Lifespan, Age, Gender Expression, Embodiment, Cross-Cultural, Marginalized, Global
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
