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Perspectives of e-health interventions for treating and preventing eating disorders: descriptive study of perceived advantages and barriers, help-seeking intentions, and preferred functionality

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Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Digital interventions that consider end-user needs, preferences, and concerns may address suboptimal rates of e-health uptake, usage, and engagement. We explored target-user perspectives of e-health treatment and prevention programs for eating disorders (EDs), with a focus on investigating (1) perceived advantages and barriers of e-health; (2) help-seeking intentions; and (3) preferences for different digital functionality, device types, and content-delivery formats.

Methods

Survey data were analysed from 722 community-based participants. Participants were categorized into one of four groups based on symptom presentation and severity, ranging from low risk to probable bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder.

Results

e-health advantages that received the highest endorsement (~ 84%) were “always there in times of need” and “travel not required”. e-health barriers that received the highest endorsement (~ 50%) were concerns about data privacy and the accuracy of content presented. Nearly three-quarters reported an intention to use an e-health platform for preventing or treating EDs. Preference ratings were highest for programs to be available on all digital devices (relative to restricting the program to one type of device) and for content to be presented via graphics and video tutorials (rather than audio-based). e-health functionality that received highest preference ratings (~ 80%) were added clinician support, tailored feedback, strategies to change unhelpful ED thoughts, screening scales to assess symptoms, ED psychoeducation, and just-in-time intervention prompts. Preference and intention ratings were strikingly similar across all subgroups.

Conclusion

Findings may inform the development and design of e-health platforms that meet the needs of people at different stages of an ED.

Level of evidence

Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

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Funding

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology, Deakin University, 1 Gheringhap Street, Geelong, VIC, 3220, Australia

    Jake Linardon, Mariel Messer & John Rosato

  2. Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, 1142, New Zealand

    Sohee Lee

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  1. Jake Linardon
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  2. Mariel Messer
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  4. John Rosato
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Contributions

JL and MM were responsible for conceptualising the research, conducting the statistical analyses and drafting the manuscript. SL and JR were responsible for conceptualising aspects of the research and editing the manuscript. All authors approved the final version of this manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jake Linardon.

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This research was approved by the Ethical Board at Deakin University.

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All participants provided informed consent to participate.

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Linardon, J., Messer, M., Lee, S. et al. Perspectives of e-health interventions for treating and preventing eating disorders: descriptive study of perceived advantages and barriers, help-seeking intentions, and preferred functionality. Eat Weight Disord 26, 1097–1109 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-020-01005-3

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