Journal of Eating Disorders

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) was officially introduced in the psychiatric nomenclature in 2013. In the last decade we have witnessed an explosion of research on this heterogeneous and prevalent condition. In this Special Issue of the Journal of Eating Disorders, we call for papers representing the latest understanding of the epidemiology; clinical phenomenology and differential diagnosis; pathophysiology; treatment; and course of ARFID across the lifespan. Topics of special interest include the line of distinction between ARFID and other restricting eating disorders characterized by more prominent shape and weight concerns; considerations for tailoring treatment; and ARFID in those with psychiatric and medical comorbidities. We will be especially receptive to submissions from early-stage investigators and those from backgrounds that are underrepresented in our field.

Guest Editors: Kendra Becker, PhD., Lauren Breithaupt, Ph.D., and Kamryn Eddy, Ph.D.

Submission deadline: 1 June 2023

The Journal of Eating Disorders is pleased to announce a Special Issue singularly devoted to the Medical Assessment and Management in Eating Disorders. Accepted papers will appear in a thematic issue to be published in Winter 2022. Potential topics for comprehensive review articles are listed below. The publishing fee will be waived for accepted manuscripts. In general, articles should not exceed 4500 words and should include around 50 references.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Transgender medicine in Eating disorders
• Anorexia in larger bodies (atypical anorexia)
• Renal and Electrolyte disturbances
• Pulmonary
• Cardiology
• Gastroenterology
• Bone health and Musculoskeletal
• Fertility/Endocrine (to also include management of patients with diabetes)

We also welcome submissions that pertain to medical complications in eating disorders not encompassed by the aforementioned topics. We seek to include 2-4 articles on topics not detailed above.

Guest Editors: Dr. Phil Mehler and Dr. Allison Nitsch

Submission deadline: 31 January 2023

In order to advance research in ratings disorders and determine priorities for investment there is an imperative to synthesise advances and identify critical gaps in knowledge. The 2021-2031 Australian Eating Disorder Research and Translation Strategy, a two-year national consultation and collaboration process, included a broad Rapid Review of existing eating disorder literature to map the current evidence-base and inform the development of national research priorities.
A Rapid Review attempts to understand a field of study in its entirety, predominantly to guide decision making processes and address urgent health concerns, and here aims to lay a groundwork of nationally consistent data. This special edition captures the available peer-reviewed literature relating to the six primary eating disorder diagnostic groups (as defined by the DSM-5), across eight key research areas: (1) Population, prevalence, disease burden, and quality of life in Western developed countries; (2) Risk factors; (3) Comorbid conditions and medical complications; (4) Screening and diagnosis; (5) Prevention and early intervention; (6) Psychotherapies and models of care; (7) Pharmacotherapies, alternative & adjunctive therapies; and (8) Outcomes (includes: relapse prevention and mortality).

Led by the InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders (Sydney, Australia) and driven by Australia’s expert lived experience and eating disorder research community, the review series lays the foundation to improve the future by understanding the present.

Guest editors: Dr. Sarah Maguire, Dr. Jane Miskovic-Wheatley and Dr. Phillip Aouad

Submission deadline: 28 February 2023

Within some environments, the development of eating disorder symptoms - such as binge eating, strict weight control, or over-valuation of one's body weight or shape - may appear to be logical, if not functional. Many, but not all, aetiological models consider the environment in the onset and maintenance of eating disorders. This Special Issue explores the extent to which eating disorders (inclusive of body image disturbance and disordered eating) are (at least in part) an injurious result of or are exacerbated/maintained by the environment within which one is exposed. Submissions (original articles, commentaries and reviews) are invited that critically examine the role of a range of contexts, including but not limited to the natural environment (e.g., seasons, climate, access to blue and green space), the family environment (e.g., relationships with parents and siblings, birth order), and the socio-political/cultural/economic environment (e.g., socioeconomic, legal, employment, housing, religious, war exposure, sports involvement). We particularly welcome studies coming from an epidemiological, public health, intersectional and/or health economics lens.    

Guest Editors: Dr Long Le, Dr Deborah Mitchison, and Professor Bryn Austin

Binge eating or feeling out of control while consuming a large amount of food in a discrete time period, occurring at a significant frequency, is characteristic of several eating disorders, most notably Bulimia Nervosa (BN) and Binge Eating Disorder (BED). The binge eating  is sometimes followed by compensatory behaviours like self-induced vomiting (BN), can be associated with overweight and obesity (BED) and is often highly distressing and resistant to treatment. About 1.5% of adult individuals will have BN and approximately 3.0 will have BED at some point in their life. There are many factors that contribute to binge eating behaviours, including psychosocial aspects such as stress and lifestyle, biology including genetics, gender and hormonal influences, and comorbid conditions such as anxiety and depression.
With this special issue on binge eating, we would like to invite submissions on current research in order to  stimulate further investigation on the topic, especially within the eating disorder research community. We would like to invite submissions across clinical and basic research, studies that focus on behaviour and neurobiology, important findings pertaining to epidemiology and treatment, and review papers or meta-analyses that provide a new perspective on this topic. If you have questions whether your manuscript might be suitable, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of the Editors of this special issue.    

Guest Editors: Professor Guido Frank, Professor Allan Kaplan, Professor Katrin Giel, and Associate Editor Professor Jose Appolinario