Stages, Progression, and Recovery of Eating Disorders in Youth: STORY
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Characterising Illness Stages, Progression, and Recovery Trajectories of Eating Disorders in Young People: STORY
IRAS ID
325803
Contact name
Ulrike Schmidt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Eating disorders (ED), namely anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED), and related syndromes are highly disabling mental disorders characterised by maladaptive eating or weight- or shape-control attitudes and behaviours (Treasure et al., 2020). Growing evidence suggests that EDs are progressive disorders, where without intervention, those with longer illness duration are associated with poorer treatment outcomes (Awbani et al., 2020; Keski-Rahkonen & Linda, 2016; Steinhausen, 2002), though this research is confounded by developmental stage (Hemmings et al., 2022). However, understandings of progression, both in terms of early- and late-stage illness as well as recovery are limited, and definitions remain variable in the wider literature (Bardone-Cone et al., 2018; Broomfield et al., 2021). Research further suggests that recovery is a protracted process rather than a state, with frequent relapses. Yet what helps and hinders this process and the criteria for sustained recovery remain debated (Khalsa et al., 2017). Existing research has predominately focused on AN, meaning evidence for bulimic-type EDs is limited. A comprehensive understanding of how EDs progress and the factors that influence the recovery process is important in informing targeted preventative interventions.
In order to advance the evidence base, longitudinal research unconfounded by the developmental stage is required. STORY aims to compare the biopsychosocial symptom profiles and behavioural and brain responses of those with early- and later-stage EDs, both within and between diagnoses. STORY also aims to understand the details of the recovery process in those with early-stage EDs by collecting multifaceted real-time data using remote measurement technologies (RMT) over an ongoing period of 12 months. RMT assessments will consist of both active monitoring (via smartphone apps) and unobtrusive passive monitoring (via smartphone sensors). STORY benefits from the RADAR-base mobile-health platform (developed by Dobson et al.; http://www.radar-base.org).
REC name
London - Bloomsbury Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/PR/0927
Date of REC Opinion
13 Oct 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion