Fernando Fernández-Aranda’s research while affiliated with University of Barcelona and other places

Feeding and eating disorders (FEDs) are a heterogeneous grouping of disorders at the mind‐body interface, with typical onset from childhood into emerging adulthood. They occur along a spectrum of disordered eating and compensatory weight management behaviors, and from low to high body weight. Psychiatric comorbidities are the norm. In contrast to other major psychiatric disorders, first‐line treatments for FEDs are mainly psychological and/or nutrition‐focused, with medications playing a minor adjunctive role. Patients, carers and clinicians all have identified personalization of treatment as a priority. Yet, for all FEDs, the evidence base supporting this personalization is limited. Importantly, disordered eating and related behaviors can have serious physical consequences and may put the patient's life at risk. In these cases, immediate safety and risk management considerations may at least for a period need to be prioritized over other efforts at personalization of care. This paper systematically reviews several key domains that may be relevant to the characterization of the individual patient with a FED aimed at personalization of management. These domains include symptom profile, clinical subtypes, severity, clinical staging, physical complications and consequences, antecedent and concomitant psychiatric conditions, social functioning and quality of life, neurocognition, social cognition and emotion, dysfunctional cognitive schemata, personality traits, family history, early environmental exposures, recent environmental exposures, stigma, and protective factors. Where possible, validated assessment measures for use in clinical practice are identified. The limitations of the current evidence are pointed out, and possible directions for future research are highlighted. These also include novel and emerging approaches aimed at providing more fine‐grained and sophisticated ways to personalize treatment of FEDs, such as those that utilize neurobiological markers. We additionally outline remote measurement technologies designed to delineate patients’ illness and recovery trajectories and facilitate development of novel intervention approaches.

Background and aims Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a highly engrossing activity with the individual spending up to 10 h per day gaming, this causes issues in accomplishing their tasks and personal goals. Also, to generate in them increased anxiety, impulsivity and lack of social skills, this impacts the good personal development and individual's quality of life. Therefore, it is vital to better understand, in terms of treatment, which factors are associated with therapeutic outcomes (largely to achieve control over the use of video games and the lack of relapses) following a standardized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) protocol. This study aimed to explore sociodemographic and personality variables and their relation to treatment outcome in patients with IGD. Method The sample included n = 105 patients with IGD, considered between January 2005 and December 2022 and recruited from the Behavioral Addictions Unit at the University Hospital of Bellvitge. Data at baseline was registered (sociodemographic and clinical measures), as well as the therapy outcomes (compliance with the guidelines, presence of relapses and dropouts). Results Patients were mainly males ( n = 95) with a mean age of 24.97 (SD = 12.03). All patients included in this sample had individual CBT treatment in relation to their problematic gaming behavior. In terms of patients who relapsed, they had higher interpersonal sensitivity, hostility and persistence with lower self-directedness. Patients who dropped out were males with an older age of IGD onset. When looking at treatment noncompliance, it was related to higher psychoticism and reward dependence, and lower cooperation. Patients with IGD show higher levels of treatment noncompliance. Conclusion These findings evidence a positive and promising effect of CBT on IGT. The factors identified as predictors of good and poor treatment outcomes should be considered for developing new evidence-based interventions focused on learning healthier key coping strategies to manage both cravings and triggers.

This chapter explores the convergence of various digital technologies and their potential impacts on problematic online behaviors. Incorporation of gaming elements into many online activities (e.g., gambling, on-demand video streaming, social media, and pornography) has created concerns about problematic use, particularly among youth). We review the current state of knowledge, which suggests that problematic engagement in different activities represents distinct conditions. Nonetheless, despite their apparent distinctiveness, online addictive activities have shared risk factors, including personality factors, comorbid psychopathological symptoms, cognitive processes, and neurobiology. A common approach to prevention is therefore sensible, even if treatment of problematic cases should follow individualized approaches. Approaches actively involving parents are encouraged. We call for expanded research on the impact of specific design features of online activities on problematic behavior and risk, particularly relating to gamified activities. Longitudinal research is needed to better understand the use and impacts of online activities across developmental stages. Given the limited understanding of long-term impacts and the dynamic nature of related technologies, greater evidence is needed to inform policy and regulation relating to exposure of children and adolescents to content and activities that might in some cases promote problematic behaviors.

This chapter summarizes the current literature on gambling and gambling disorders among youth. The emergence of online gambling, together with the legalization, social acceptance, and appearance of new forms of gambling or gambling-related factors, such as internet gambling, daily fantasy sports, and sports betting or loot boxes, may raise particular concerns for vulnerable populations. Adolescents are at a developmental stage characterized by increased autonomy, identity formation, social exploration, and brain development and often have high levels of sensation-seeking and impulsivity. As such, addictive or problematic engagement in gambling may have significant impacts on developmental trajectories in youth. This manuscript summarizes current knowledge, includes considerations for future research to help address current limitations in knowledge, and provides recommendations focused on the prevention of youth gambling behaviors and gambling problems in the current and evolving digital environment.

Since the last edition of the Handbook of Food and Addiction, published in 2012, research on this topic has progressed in many ways. Evidence is growing that certain foods, particularly highly processed foods with high levels of refined carbohydrates and/or added fats, can trigger addictive processes. Ultra-processed versions of these products may be even more addictive given the addition of flavor enhancers and additives that can make them intensely palatable, and are inexpensive, accessible, and highly convenient. In this edition, top researchers discuss groundbreaking science across biological, psychological, social, and policy domains that probe the role of addictive mechanisms in food intake and health. Future research questions are highlighted, including the impact of addictive foods on children, the role of the gut microbiome, the contribution of food insecurity, and the development of novel interventions to address the addictive impact of food. Potential policy and legal approaches are considered based on available science.

Since the last edition of the Handbook of Food and Addiction, published in 2012, research on this topic has progressed in many ways. Evidence is growing that certain foods, particularly highly processed foods with high levels of refined carbohydrates and/or added fats, can trigger addictive processes. Ultra-processed versions of these products may be even more addictive given the addition of flavor enhancers and additives that can make them intensely palatable, and are inexpensive, accessible, and highly convenient. In this edition, top researchers discuss groundbreaking science across biological, psychological, social, and policy domains that probe the role of addictive mechanisms in food intake and health. Future research questions are highlighted, including the impact of addictive foods on children, the role of the gut microbiome, the contribution of food insecurity, and the development of novel interventions to address the addictive impact of food. Potential policy and legal approaches are considered based on available science.

Since the last edition of the Handbook of Food and Addiction, published in 2012, research on this topic has progressed in many ways. Evidence is growing that certain foods, particularly highly processed foods with high levels of refined carbohydrates and/or added fats, can trigger addictive processes. Ultra-processed versions of these products may be even more addictive given the addition of flavor enhancers and additives that can make them intensely palatable, and are inexpensive, accessible, and highly convenient. In this edition, top researchers discuss groundbreaking science across biological, psychological, social, and policy domains that probe the role of addictive mechanisms in food intake and health. Future research questions are highlighted, including the impact of addictive foods on children, the role of the gut microbiome, the contribution of food insecurity, and the development of novel interventions to address the addictive impact of food. Potential policy and legal approaches are considered based on available science.