Introduction to a special issue on eating disorders in Asia

Abstract

Objective: It is our pleasure to introduce a special issue of the International Journal of Eating Disorders on eating disorders (EDs) in Asia.

Method: We received such a robust response to the special edition that we were able to fill two issues. Contributions focused on seven main themes: (1) prevalence, (2) time trends, (3) healthcare systems, (4) treatment, (5) risk factors, (6) assessment, and (7) orthorexia.

Results: New prevalence and time trend data from China, Iran, Singapore, Japan, and Taiwan suggest that EDs are increasingly common in Asia but are not always detected in healthcare settings. Only a minority of individuals with EDs in Singapore receive treatment, and psychosocial treatment and prevention interventions that are evidence-based in the West may require cultural adaptation before they can be fully implemented in Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea. Psychological risk factors for EDs are more similar than different in Iran, India, Japan, and China, but biological risk factors are understudied across the continent. Psychometrically sound assessment tools are available in many Asian languages.

Discussion: We hope this special issue provides a catalyst and blueprint for global collaboration to relieve the burden of suffering of EDs in Asia and beyond.

Keywords: Asia; China; Japan; anorexia nervosa; bulimia nervosa; feeding and eating disorders; orthorexia; prevalence; risk factors; treatment.