Virtual prevention of eating disorders in children, adolescents, and emerging adults: a scoping review

Abstract

Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a necessity for eating disorder (ED) outpatient treatment to be delivered virtually. Given this transition, and the surge in new ED cases, there was an urgent need to investigate virtually delivered ED prevention programs. This review aimed to identify the available evidence on virtual ED prevention programs for children, adolescents, and emerging adults. Method Using scoping review methodology, seven databases were searched for studies published from January 2000 to April 2021 reporting on virtually delivered ED prevention interventions for children and adolescents (< 18 years) and emerging adults (18–25 years). Studies were excluded if they contained adults (> 25 years) and individuals with clinical ED diagnoses. Abstracts and full-text papers were reviewed independently by two reviewers. Data was extracted on study type, methodology, age, sample size, virtual intervention, outcomes, and results. In April 2022, we used a forward citation chaining process to identify any relevant articles from April 2021 to April 2022. Results Of 5129 unique studies identified, 67 met eligibility criteria, which included asynchronous (n = 35) and synchronous (n = 18) internet-based programs, other e-technology including mobile apps (n = 3) and text messaging interventions (n = 1), computer-based programs (n = 6), and online caregiver interventions focused on child outcomes (n = 4). Few studies mainly included children and adolescents (n = 18), whereas the vast majority included emerging adults (n = 49). For children and adolescents, the most widely researched programs were Student Bodies and its adapted versions (n = 4), eBody Project (n = 2), and Parents Act Now (n = 2). For emerging adults, the most widely researched programs were Student Bodies and its adapted versions (n = 16), eBody Project (n = 6) and Expand Your Horizon (n = 4). These interventions were effective at reducing various symptoms and ED risk. Some studies demonstrated that virtual prevention intervention efficacy resembled in-person delivery. Conclusion Virtual prevention interventions for EDs can be effective, however more research is needed studying their impact on children and adolescents and on improving access for vulnerable groups. Additional efficacy studies are required, such as for text messaging and mobile app ED prevention interventions. Evidence-based recommendations for virtual ED prevention for children, adolescents, and emerging adults at-risk for EDs should be prioritized.

Characteristics of Anorexia Prevention Programmes. A Systematic Review

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Virtually Accompanied Eating in the Outpatient Therapy of Anorexia Nervosa

“…They found that all respondents considered virtual treatment during confinement feasible and valuable. Pellegrini et al (2022) looked at the available evidence for virtual ED prevention programs for children, adolescents, and young adults and suggested that virtual workshops can effectively prevent EDs [34].…”

Effectiveness of Emotional Regulation Training on Parenting Style Related to Parental Obesity and Weight Management in Adolescents with Bulimia Nervosa

“…he phenomenon of an increasing overweight population is one of the most significant social, economic, and health challenges of the 21st century (Vizzuso et al, 2021). Among these, eating disorders are considered common mental/psychosomatic disorders that lead to numerous problems in physical health, psychological functioning, and the quality of life of adolescents (Pellegrini et al, 2022). Bulimia Nervosa is identified as a common eating disorder in adolescents (D'Souza et al, 2020), defined according to the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders as episodes of binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors occurring, on average, at least once a week for a minimum of three months (APA, 2022).…”