Working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

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Key Thinkers Forum: Eating Disorders, Wellbeing and a need for Research

This Forum discussed current and emerging food and eating disorder issues within community and the research and translation gaps and priorities that exist currently. It will help guide the development of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research & Translation Strategy as a key activity of the Australian Eating Disorder Research and Translation Centre.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Co-Production

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eating Disorders Co-Production will contribute Indigenous leadership and innovation to governance and all activities of the Centre and establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Eating Disorder Research Strategy, in co-design with community.   
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Have your say on how we turn the The Australian Eating Disorders Research & Translation Strategy 2021-2031 into reality!

We are charged with implementing The Australian Eating Disorders Research & Translation Strategy 2021-2031 which was developed over two years of consultation. It is our intention that the Strategy is a document that is used and is useful, that we respond to the gaps it identifies, bring to life the actions articulated through our consultations, and that it is a live document in so much as we use it as a springboard for the generation of new ideas, activities and strategic priorities as required.
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We're all about the 'co'

Research is an iterative and dynamic process best informed and co-produced at all stages between researchers, clinicians and people with lived experience, families and supports. We are genuinely invested in Collaborating, Codesigning, Coproducing and Communicating to achieve research innovations that change people’s lives.

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Co-Design
Diversity
Collaboration

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IgnitED

The IgnitED Fund provided nine $25,000 grants to Australian residents with great ideas to work in a co-design process, bring their ideas to life, and build new relationships and research skills in eating disorders.
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People with eating disorders come from diverse backgrounds & identities...so should our research teams and the research we conduct!

We're thrilled to be participating in Mardi Gras Fair Day 2023 in collaboration with colleagues from other national eating disorder organisations coming together for the first time under our campaign banner of 'everyBODY welcome'.
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Have your say on how we turn the The Australian Eating Disorders Research & Translation Strategy 2021-2031 into reality!

We are charged with implementing The Australian Eating Disorders Research & Translation Strategy 2021-2031 which was developed over two years of consultation. It is our intention that the Strategy is a document that is used and is useful, that we respond to the gaps it identifies, bring to life the actions articulated through our consultations, and that it is a live document in so much as we use it as a springboard for the generation of new ideas, activities and strategic priorities as required.
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About
Risk Factors
Population prevalence, disease burden and quality of life
Prevention and Early Intervention
Screening, Assessment & Diagnosis
Psychiatric and Medical Comorbidities
Models of Care
Psychotherapies
Pharmacotherapies, alternative and adjunctive therapies
Outcomes

Outcomes

Abstract

Background

Eating disorders (ED), especially Anorexia Nervosa (AN) have amongst the highest mortality and suicide rates in mental health. With limited evidence for current pharmacological and/or psychological treatments, there is a grave responsibility within health research to better understand outcomes for people with a lived experience of ED, factors and interventions that may reduce the detrimental impact of illness and to optimise recovery. This paper aims to synthesise the literature on outcomes for people with ED, including rates of remission, recovery and relapse, diagnostic crossover, and mortality.

Methods

This paper forms part of a Rapid Review series scoping the evidence for the field of ED, conducted to inform the Australian National Eating Disorders Research and Translation Strategy 2021–2031, funded and released by the Australian Government. ScienceDirect, PubMed and Ovid/MEDLINE were searched for studies published between 2009 and 2022 in English. High-level evidence such as meta-analyses, large population studies and Randomised Controlled Trials were prioritised through purposive sampling. Data from selected studies relating to outcomes for people with ED were synthesised and are disseminated in the current review.

Results

Of the over 1320 studies included in the Rapid Review, the proportion of articles focused on outcomes in ED was relatively small, under 9%. Most evidence was focused on the diagnostic categories of AN, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder, with limited outcome studies in other ED diagnostic groups. Factors such as age at presentation, gender, quality of life, the presence of co-occurring psychiatric and/or medical conditions, engagement in treatment and access to relapse prevention programs were associated with outcomes across diagnoses, including mortality rates.

Conclusion

Results are difficult to interpret due to inconsistent study definitions of remission, recovery and relapse, lack of longer-term follow-up and the potential for diagnostic crossover. Overall, there is evidence of low rates of remission and high risk of mortality, despite evidence-based treatments, especially for AN. It is strongly recommended that research in long-term outcomes, and the factors that influence better outcomes, using more consistent variables and methodologies, is prioritised for people with ED.

Evidence Playground

Explore the articles underpinning this Rapid Review.

Research can transform people's lives.

The Australian Eating Disorders Research and Translation Centre is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the National Leadership in Mental Health program.

Lead Agency, InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders, is a joint venture between the Sydney Local Health District and the University of Sydney

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