Treating eating disorders in young people

"Eating disorders are serious psychiatric illnesses affecting both adults and young people, and are associated with a number of severe health consequences. Approximately 1.5% of female adolescents and 0.5% of male adolescents meet diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa (Swanson et al., 2011) and yet psychological treatments have been relatively under-researched in this population. Indeed, only three randomised studies of psychosocial treatments for adolescents with bulimia nervosa have been published (e.g., see Le Grange et al., 2015) with the evidence for binge-eating disorder even more sparse.
Guided self-help (GSH) is a recommended treatment for adults with eating disorders characterised by binge eating in the absence of low weight (e.g., NICE, 2017). It has been concluded that GSH “may be considered possibly efficacious and specific for treating binge eating in older adolescents with BN” and similar illnesses (Keel & Haedt, 2008, p. 53) although there has been virtually no research on this topic.
Candidates who are interested in studying psychological treatments of eating disorders – particularly GSH – in adolescent samples are invited to discuss their interest in relation to this topic. Other areas will be considered if candidates can provide a clear rationale, alongside a sensible background and likely outcomes within the constraints of a PhD."