Detailed Record



Disabilities and eating disorders: A theoretical model and call for research


Abstract Objective: There is an urgent need for research on eating disorders among individuals with disabilities. This paper highlights the lack of research on the relationships between disabilities and EDs, despite their common convergence. Method: In this paper, we aim to 1) highlight the need for further research investigating the relationships between disability status and EDs, 2) describe existing frameworks for conceptualizing disability, 3) utilize such frameworks to propose a novel theoretical model of ED/disability relationships and related sociocultural factors and 4) identify future directions for research in this area. Results: We propose a multidimensional theoretical model of the relationships between EDs and disabilities. Further, we describe how these relationships are likely influenced by a system of individual factors (e.g., disability (in)visibility, food access, and self-identification) and sociocultural factors (e.g., ableism/discrimination and weight stigma). Discussion: Scholars are encouraged to test our proposed model and further investigate experiences of disability and ED co-occurrence with participatory research and mixed-methods designs. ED prevention and screening programs, as well as treatment access and efficacy, need to be evaluated for disabled populations. Disability should also be routinely collected as a demographic across studies, and ED measures should be validated and/or developed for individuals with disabilities.
Authors Molly Fennig ORCID , Phaedra Longhurst ORCID , Lindsay Gillikin University of WyomingORCID , M. Ariel Cascio ORCID , C. Blair Burnette ORCID , Kirsten Gilbert ORCID , Samantha L. Hahn ORCID
Journal Info Elsevier BV | Eating Behaviors , vol: 56 , pages: 101951 - 101951
Publication Date 2/8/2025
ISSN 1471-0153
TypeKeyword Image review
Open Access closed Closed Access
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2025.101951
KeywordsKeyword Image Ableism (Score: 0.49286866) , Stigma (Score: 0.4692863) , Identification (Score: 0.43850997)