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Eating Disorders and Overweight/Obesity in Veterans: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Treatment Considerations

  • Psychological Issues (V Drapeau and V Ivezaj, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Eating disorders (EDs) and overweight/obesity (OW/OB) have a significant impact on veterans. This review highlights current research on EDs and OW/OB in this population.

Recent Findings

Prevalence estimates for both EDs and OW/OB among veterans remain consistent with and possibly higher than those in the general population. Both diagnoses share multiple risk factors, including trauma history, and mental health comorbidities. Although weight loss treatments have been fairly well studied among veteran samples, there are no published investigations on psychotherapies for EDs in this population. The Veterans Healthcare Administration is working to train providers in ED treatments. VHA treatments for OW/OB show some benefits and areas for improvement.

Summary

Areas for future research include structured assessments for EDs and disordered eating behaviors in veterans to clarify prevalence estimates. There is a need for interventions that consider common mechanisms for ED and OW/OB, and there is a need for more research on the associations between different types of trauma and ED/OW/OB in veterans.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA

    Kristy Cuthbert

  2. National Center for PTSD at the VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, 02130, USA

    Kristy Cuthbert, Sabrina Hardin, Rachel Zelkowitz & Karen Mitchell

  3. Department of Psychiatry, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA

    Karen Mitchell

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  1. Kristy Cuthbert
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  2. Sabrina Hardin
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  3. Rachel Zelkowitz
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Correspondence to Karen Mitchell.

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Kristy Cuthbert has no conflicts of interest to report.

Sabrina Hardin has no conflicts of interest to report.

Rachel Zelkowitz has no conflicts of interest to report.

Karen Mitchell has no conflicts of interest to report.

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Cuthbert, K., Hardin, S., Zelkowitz, R. et al. Eating Disorders and Overweight/Obesity in Veterans: Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Treatment Considerations. Curr Obes Rep 9, 98–108 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-020-00374-1

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