Eating disorders
15 per cent of Australian teenage girls are diagnosed with an eating disorder before they turn 19. Struggles with eating disorders can be lifelong, if not life ending. The prevalence of eating disorders and body image problems is also increasing in boys.
Flinders University researchers are forming a picture of eating disorders as a genetic predisposition triggered by environmental factors like weight-related bullying, stressful life changes, and traumatic events. We are also engaged in preventative, evidence-based community programs, and consulting with government and relevant organisations around building up capacity to prevent and treat eating disorders.
Key partnerships with groups including the Statewide Eating Disorder Service, headspace and the National Eating Disorders Collaboration are helping us investigate and develop services for eating disorders, and scale up the dissemination of such services.
Lead - Professor Tracey Wade
Matthew Flinders Distinguished Professor, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
