Evidence map›Paper›PMID 34773665›Full record

ArticleThe International journal of eating disorders2022

A systematic scoping review of research on COVID-19 impacts on eating disorders: A critical appraisal of the evidence and recommendations for the field.

Jake Linardon, Mariel Messer, Rachel F Rodgers, Matthew Fuller-Tyszkiewicz

Open access · greenAbstract readScoping Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in The International journal of eating disorders, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 85 papers, 6 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
85citing papers in PubMed, 6 pooled it
21.8field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

85 citing papers in PubMed, 6 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 171 citations in OpenAlex.

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  13. Generating Priorities in Eating Disorder Research: Recommendations from Canadian Young Adults and Caregivers.Journal of the Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry = Journal de l'Academie canadienne de psychiatrie de l'enfant et de l'adolescent · 2025
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25 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 2 institutions in 4 countries.

Jake LinardonSchool of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.ORCID 0000-0003-4475-7139
Mariel MesserSchool of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Rachel F RodgersAPPEAR, Department of Applied Psychology, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Matthew Fuller-TyszkiewiczSchool of Psychology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
Deakin University · AUNortheastern University · US

Funding

National Health and Medical Research Council APP1196948
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveResearch investigating the effects of COVID-19 on eating disorders is growing rapidly. A comprehensive evaluation of this literature is needed to identify key findings and evidence gaps to better inform policy decisions related to the management of eating disorders during and after this crisis. We conducted a systematic scoping review synthesizing and appraising this literature.

methodEmpirical research on COVID-19 impacts on eating disorder severity, prevalence, and demand for treatment was searched. No sample restrictions were applied. Findings (n = 70 studies) were synthesized across six themes: (a) suspected eating disorder cases during COVID-19; (b) perceived pandemic impacts on symptoms; (c) symptom severity pre versus during the pandemic; (d) pandemic-related correlates of symptom severity; (e) impacts on carers/parents; and (f) treatment experiences during COVID-19.

resultsPandemic impacts on rates of probable eating disorders, symptom deterioration, and general mental health varied substantially. Symptom escalation and mental health worsening during-and due to-the pandemic were commonly reported, and those most susceptible included confirmed eating disorder cases, at-risk populations (young women, athletes, parent/carers), and individuals highly anxious or fearful of COVID-19. Evidence emerged for increased demand for specialist eating disorder services during the pandemic. The forced transition to online treatment was challenging for many, yet telehealth alternatives seemed feasible and effective. DISCUSSION: Evidence for COVID-19 effects is mostly limited to participant self-report or retrospective recall, cross-sectional and descriptive studies, and samples of convenience. Several novel pathways for future research that aim to better understand, monitor, and support those negatively affected by the pandemic are formulated.

Indexed as

COVID-19Feeding and Eating DisordersCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansRetrospective StudiesSARS-CoV-2carersCOVID-19eating disordersmachine learningmental healthopen sciencescoping reviewsystematic reviewtelehealthtreatment

Identifiers

PMID34773665
PMCPMC8646470
OpenAlexW3213165300

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.