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Introduction to a special issue on eating disorders in Asia
Author(s) -
Kim YoulRi,
Nakai Yoshikatsu,
Thomas Jennifer J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.23444
Subject(s) - china , blueprint , psychosocial , psychological intervention , eating disorders , pleasure , psychology , east asia , political science , medicine , psychiatry , psychotherapist , mechanical engineering , law , engineering
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.