Research Agenda for Eating Disorders

The concluding chapter of this section outlines several gaps in current knowledge that will be critical to address in future research. DSM-5 introduced a number of changes in diagnostic criteria for eating disorders, and it is crucial to determine the utility of these revised criteria in addressing the needs of adolescents with clinically significant eating problems. More large studies are needed to understand the frequencies of eating disorders and disordered eating in the general population, and risk factors for their development, including psychological and biological factors. It will be important to improve knowledge of the benefits and risks of psychological and pharmacological treatment interventions, and to clarify the most effective methods of involving the family. Continued research on prevention is critical to understand how efforts to prevent eating disorders can be integrated with interventions to prevent other psychological disorders and obesity.