Disgust and self-disgust are aversive emotions which are often encountered in people with eating disorders. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of disgust and self-disgust in people with eating disorders using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The systematic review of the literature revealed 52 original research papers. There was substantial heterogeneity regarding the research question and outcomes. However, we found 5 articles on disgust elicited by food images, 10 studies on generic disgust sensitivity, and 4 studies on self-disgust, and we proceeded to a meta-analytic approach on these studies. We found that women with eating disorders have significantly higher momentary disgust feelings in response to food images (1.32; 95% CI 1.05, 1.59), higher generic disgust sensitivity (0.49; 95% CI 0.24, 0.71), and higher self-disgust (1.90; 95% CI 1.51, 2.29) compared with healthy controls. These findings indicate the potential clinical relevance of disgust and self-disgust in the treatment of eating disorders.

The emotion of disgust is thought to play a critical role in maintaining restrictive eating among individuals with anorexia nervosa. This exploratory cross-sectional study examined correlations between food-specific trait and state disgust, eating disorder psychopathology, illness severity (body mass index: BMI), and interactions with virtual foods in people with anorexia nervosa. Food-specific trait disgust and eating disorder symptoms were measured before exposure to virtual foods in one of three virtual reality (VR) kitchens to which participants were randomly allocated. Food interactions (eye gaze and reaching towards virtual foods) were measured during the VR exposure. Food-specific state disgust ratings were collected after the VR exposure. In the entire sample, eating disorder symptoms correlated positively with food-specific trait disgust (rs (68) = 0.45, p < 0.001). We also found a significant association between food-specific state disgust and eating disorder symptoms in each virtual kitchen scenario: virtual kitchen only (rs (22) = 0.40, p = 0.05), virtual kitchen plus pet (rs (22) = 0.80, p < 0.001), and virtual kitchen plus avatar (rs (20) = 0.78, p < 0.001). No significant correlation was observed for the link between food-specific disgust measures and food-related touch. Correlations between food-specific trait disgust and food-related eye gaze differed across scenarios. The current experimental paradigm needs to be improved to draw firm conclusions. Both food-specific trait and state disgust are associated with eating disorder psychopathology, and therefore, effective strategies are warranted to attenuate food-specific disgust.

Weight gain and metabolic disturbances are frequent in people treated with second generation antipsychotics (SGA). We aimed to investigate the effect of SGAs on eating behaviors, cognitions and emotions, as a possible contributor to this adverse effect. A systematic review and a meta-analysis were conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Original articles measuring outcomes relating to eating cognitions, behaviours and emotions, during treatment with SGAs were included in this review. A total of 92 papers with 11,274 participants were included from three scientific databases (PubMed, Web of Science and PsycInfo). Results were synthesized descriptively except for the continuous data where meta-analyses were performed and for the binary data where odds ratios were calculated. Hunger was increased in participants treated with SGAs with an odds ratio for appetite increase of 1.51 (95% CI [1.04, 1.97]; z = 6.40; p < 0.001). Compared to controls, our results showed that craving for fat and carbohydrates are the highest among other craving subscales. There was a small increase in dietary disinhibition (SMD = 0.40) and restrained eating (SMD = 0.43) in participants treated with SGAs compared to controls and substantial heterogeneity across studies reporting these eating traits. There were few studies examining other eating-related outcomes such as food addiction, satiety, fullness, caloric intake and dietary quality and habits. Understanding the mechanisms associated with appetite and eating-related psychopathology changes in patients treated with antipsychotics is needed to reliably inform the development of effective preventative strategies.

In recent years, overweight and obesity have reached an alarmingly high incidence and prevalence worldwide; they have also been steadily increasing in military populations. Military personnel, as an occupational group, are often exposed to stressful and harmful environments that represent a risk factor for disordered eating, with major repercussions on both physical and mental health. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of weight loss interventions and assess the significance of current obesity treatments for these populations. Three online databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science) were screened to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aiming to treat obesity in active-duty military personnel and veterans. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted for body weight (BW) and body mass index (BMI) values, both longitudinally comparing treatment groups from pre-to-post intervention and cross-sectionally comparing the treatment group to controls at the end of the intervention. A total of 21 studies were included: 16 cross-sectional (BW: n = 15; BMI: n = 12) and 16 longitudinal (BW: n = 15; BMI: n = 12) studies were meta-analyzed, and 5 studies were narratively synthesized. A significant small overall BW and BMI reduction from baseline to post-intervention was observed (BW: g = −0.10; p = 0.015; BMI: g = −0.32; p < 0.001), together with a decreased BMI (g = −0.16; p = 0.001) and nominally lower BW (g = −0.08; p = 0.178) in the intervention group compared to controls at the post-intervention time-point. Despite limitations, such as the heterogeneity across the included interventions and the follow-up duration, our findings highlight how current weight loss interventions are effective in terms of BW and BMI reductions in military populations and how a comprehensive approach with multiple therapeutic goals should be taken during the intervention.

Emotional overeating is a process that is particularly relevant to people within the binge spectrum of eating disorders. Approximately a third of people with overweight share this phenotype. In addition, this behaviour may occur in neurodevelopmental disorders (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)) and other psychiatric disorders. The biopsychosocial underpinnings of emotional eating include a genetic vulnerability to a higher weight and various cognitive and emotional traits. The environment also plays a key role. For example, the commodification of food and beauty and exposure to weight stigma, unpleasant eating experiences and general adversity can set the scene. The majority of people with binge-eating disorder do not seek treatment (perhaps related to internalised stigma and shame). Hence opportunities for early intervention and secondary prevention are lost. Most guidelines for binge-eating disorder (based on the limited available research) recommend forms of cognitive psychotherapies and antidepressants. However, novel treatments that target underlying mechanisms are in development. These include interventions to improve emotional regulation and inhibitory control using neuromodulation and/or brain training. New technologies have been applied to talking therapies, including apps which can offer 'just-in-time interventions' or virtual reality or avatar work which can deliver more personalised interventions using complex scenarios. Drugs used for the treatment of ADHD, psychiatric and metabolic disorders may have the potential to be repurposed for binge-eating disorder. Thus, this is an area of rapid change with novel solutions being applied to this problem.

Introduction: Antipsychotics are routinely prescribed off‐label for anorexia nervosa (AN) despite limited evidence. This article presents a protocol of a study aiming to assess the feasibility of a future definitive trial on olanzapine in young people with AN.Methods and analysis: In an open‐label, one‐armed feasibility study, 55 patients with AN or atypical AN, aged 12–24, receiving outpatient, inpatient or day‐care treatment who are considered for olanzapine treatment will be recruited from NHS sites based in England. Assessments will be conducted at screening, baseline and at 8‐, 16 weeks, 6‐ and 12 months. Primary feasibility parameters will be proportions of patients who agree to take olanzapine and who adhere to treatment and complete study assessments. Qualitative methods will be used to explore acceptability of the intervention and study design. Secondary feasibility parameters will be changes in body mass index, psychopathology, side effects, health‐related quality of life, carer burden and proportion of participants who would enrol in a future randomised controlled trial. The study is funded by the National Institute for Health Research via Health Technology Assessment programme.Discussion: Olanzapine for young PEople with aNorexia nervosa will inform a future randomised controlled trial on the efficacy and safety of prescribing olanzapine in young people with AN.