Eating Disorders and Weight

Published Research & Citations

IndoPsyCare endeavours to continue conducting research into the latest evidence-based psychological treatments and remain up-to-date on psychological phenomena and breakthroughs.

We are proud to present the research conducted, or contributed to, by our advisors and IndoPsyCare psychologists. We seek to emphasize that whilst members of our team have contributed to these papers, we do not claim rights nor ownership of these publications.

• Skøt, L., Mejldal, A., Guala, M., Støving, R., Ascone, L., & Stenager, E. et al. (2022). Eating disorders and subsequent risk of substance use disorders involving illicit drugs: a Danish nationwide register-based cohort study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 57(4), 695-708. doi: 10.1007/s00127-021-02201-x

  Abstract:
  “Background: Evaluated the prospective risk of illicit substance use disorders (ISUD) following an initial eating disorder diagnosis in a Danish nationwide cohort of 20,759 patients and 83,038 matched controls followed over 10+ years.
  
  Findings: Patients with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and unspecified eating disorders exhibited a markedly increased relative risk of illicit substance misuse, with the highest hazard ratios observed during the first year of diagnosis.
  
  Conclusion: Eating disorder patients carry substantial vulnerability to comorbid drug abuse, requiring integrated screening and substance prevention protocols in eating disorder treatment programs.”



• Mellentin, A., Skøt, L., Guala, M., Støving, R., Ascone, L., Stenager, E., & Mejldal, A. (2021). Does receiving an eating disorder diagnosis increase the risk of a subsequent alcohol use disorder? A Danish nationwide register‐based cohort study. Addiction, 117(2), 354-367. doi: 10.1111/add.15639

  Abstract:
  “Background: Investigated the longitudinal risk of receiving an alcohol use disorder (AUD) diagnosis following an initial diagnosis of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), or unspecified eating disorders in nationwide Danish health registers.
  
  Findings: Substantially elevated risks of alcohol use disorder were observed across all three eating disorder categories, remaining elevated for more than 15 years, with the highest hazard ratios in bulimia nervosa.
  
  Conclusion: Demonstrates a long-term comorbid vulnerability between eating pathology and alcohol dependency, highlighting the necessity of dual-diagnosis protocols in clinical psychiatric care.”



• Wirtz, J., Ascone, L., Gehlenborg, J., Moritz, S., & Kühn, S. (2021). A dismantling study on imaginal retraining in overweight or obese women. Translational Psychiatry, 11(1). doi: 10.1038/s41398-021-01595-1

  Abstract:
  “Background: Imaginal retraining is a cognitive intervention designed to reduce unhealthy food cravings by mentally manipulating appetitive mental representations.
  
  Methods: A dismantling trial with 113 overweight and obese women evaluated which specific components (psychoeducation, motor imagery, emotion induction) most effectively attenuate craving.
  
  Findings: Motor imagery and simple cognitive retraining produced significant immediate and sustained reductions in high-calorie food craving.
  
  Conclusion: Imaginal retraining is a feasible, low-threshold self-help technique for managing appetite and food cravings, with promising applications in behavioral weight management programs.”