Eating disorders (ED) and obesity (OB) are clinical conditions characterized by bizarre eating patterns and body weight disturbances. These disorders show severe impairment correlates, comprising physical and psychological health, and specific impact on psychological functioning. Neurocognitive research has identified common systems/processes associated with the onset and the maintenance of the eating related problems, mainly in the brain’s reward response system and the executive functioning (deficits in attention, decision-making, impulse-control, and set-shifting). These deficits have appeared related to other biological measures such as the orexin-A levels (a neuropeptide participating in the regulation of energy balances, feeding and appetitive behaviors), and endocrine-hormonal changes (leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, and insulin sensitivity). These endocrine dysfunctions could result from disturbed regulation of hypothalamus-pituitary axes and other altered peripherical endocrine processes linked to the adipose tissue and gastrointestinal tract (involved in the control of appetite and satiety). Neurological and psychological profiles have also been related, particularly the emotion regulation processes and impulsive-compulsive behaviors.
Despite the number of studies on the biological and psychological markers of ED and OB, the study of the structure of the different processes (the relationships patterns), the identification of the most central and closeness elements, and the contribution on these elements on the treatment outcomes remain underexplored. Advances in the above aspects should include new studies aimed to:
1. Explore the underlying mechanisms (direct and indirect effects) between the multiple markers of ED and OB, including neurocognitive, biochemical-hormonal, anthropometric, neuronal activity (fMRI), and psychological (clinical and personality) factors.
2. Valuing the specific predictive capacity of the above elements and mechanisms on the treatment outcomes for ED and OB.
3. Identify what changes occur in the neurocognitive, hormonal, anthropometric, neuronal activity (fMRI), and psychological (clinical and personality) factors in ED and OB during the treatment, and in the short- and long-term of the follow-up.
The scope of this Research Topic is to provide new insights into the multifaceted and complex nature of ED and OB. Based on the early ages of onset of these disorders (usually during childhood and adolescence), the presentation of eating/feeding-related problems across development, and the severe negative consequences, the findings of new studies could contribute to the elaboration of more effective prevention plans, and of guidelines for improving the caring capacity of health professionals and family caregivers. We welcome original research studies (clinical, translational, and basic research), systematic reviews (including meta-analyses studies), and scope reviews. Potential themes include, but are not limited to the following topics:
- Epidemiological and clinical studies involving mediating, pathways, and networks analysis to examine possible processes and observed relationships for ED and OB.
- Etiological studies analyzing the neurocognitive and endocrine physiology of ED and OB.
- Treatment studies assessing the incremental predictive capacity of the different targets of ED and OB.
- Discussion-proposal of novel plans to deal with ED
Eating disorders (ED) and obesity (OB) are clinical conditions characterized by bizarre eating patterns and body weight disturbances. These disorders show severe impairment correlates, comprising physical and psychological health, and specific impact on psychological functioning. Neurocognitive research has identified common systems/processes associated with the onset and the maintenance of the eating related problems, mainly in the brain’s reward response system and the executive functioning (deficits in attention, decision-making, impulse-control, and set-shifting). These deficits have appeared related to other biological measures such as the orexin-A levels (a neuropeptide participating in the regulation of energy balances, feeding and appetitive behaviors), and endocrine-hormonal changes (leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, and insulin sensitivity). These endocrine dysfunctions could result from disturbed regulation of hypothalamus-pituitary axes and other altered peripherical endocrine processes linked to the adipose tissue and gastrointestinal tract (involved in the control of appetite and satiety). Neurological and psychological profiles have also been related, particularly the emotion regulation processes and impulsive-compulsive behaviors.
Despite the number of studies on the biological and psychological markers of ED and OB, the study of the structure of the different processes (the relationships patterns), the identification of the most central and closeness elements, and the contribution on these elements on the treatment outcomes remain underexplored. Advances in the above aspects should include new studies aimed to:
1. Explore the underlying mechanisms (direct and indirect effects) between the multiple markers of ED and OB, including neurocognitive, biochemical-hormonal, anthropometric, neuronal activity (fMRI), and psychological (clinical and personality) factors.
2. Valuing the specific predictive capacity of the above elements and mechanisms on the treatment outcomes for ED and OB.
3. Identify what changes occur in the neurocognitive, hormonal, anthropometric, neuronal activity (fMRI), and psychological (clinical and personality) factors in ED and OB during the treatment, and in the short- and long-term of the follow-up.
The scope of this Research Topic is to provide new insights into the multifaceted and complex nature of ED and OB. Based on the early ages of onset of these disorders (usually during childhood and adolescence), the presentation of eating/feeding-related problems across development, and the severe negative consequences, the findings of new studies could contribute to the elaboration of more effective prevention plans, and of guidelines for improving the caring capacity of health professionals and family caregivers. We welcome original research studies (clinical, translational, and basic research), systematic reviews (including meta-analyses studies), and scope reviews. Potential themes include, but are not limited to the following topics:
- Epidemiological and clinical studies involving mediating, pathways, and networks analysis to examine possible processes and observed relationships for ED and OB.
- Etiological studies analyzing the neurocognitive and endocrine physiology of ED and OB.
- Treatment studies assessing the incremental predictive capacity of the different targets of ED and OB.
- Discussion-proposal of novel plans to deal with ED