Research is ongoing to help better understand and treat of eating disorders. A few of the many promising areas eating disorder researchers are exploring in the 21st century include:
- National Institute of Mental Health-funded experts continue to investigate the effectiveness of therapy, medications, and the combination of these treatments with the goal of improving outcomes for people with eating disorders.
- Research on interrupting the binge-eating cycle has shown that once a structured pattern of eating is established, the person experiences less hunger, less deprivation, and a reduction in negative feelings about food and eating. The two factors that increase the likelihood of binge-eating -- hunger and negative feelings—are reduced, which decreases the frequency of binges.
- Several family and twin studies are suggesting that anorexia and bulimia may be inherited. Researchers are searching for the genes responsible, which would help develop better treatments for eating disorders.
- Scientists have learned that both the appetite and the expenditure of energy are regulated by a complex network of nerve cells and molecular messengers called neuropeptides. These and future discoveries provide promising new avenues for possible drugs for eating disorders.
MORE INFORMATION
Find out more about the specific types of eating disorders and treatments now:
- What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
- Binge-Eating Disorder
- Treatment Strategies
- Research Findings and Directions
- More Help With Eating Disorders
- Eating Disorder References
Source: National Institute of Mental Health. Eating Disorders: Facts About Eating Disorders and the Search for SolutionsNIH Publication No. 01-4901.
