Glenys A. Lafrance’s research while affiliated with University of Toronto and other places

Studies show that physicians are dissatisfied with their training in the area of eating disorders in general, and a number of practice barriers and training needs have been identified. There are no known studies examining attitudes and needs of physicians or psychologists with respect to eating disorders in children and adolescents in Canada. This study’s objectives are to examine primary care clinicians’ self-assessed competence, barriers, and needs with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders in children and adolescents. A 20-item survey was developed to obtain information from family physicians and psychologists in Ontario, Canada. Findings of this study suggest that, with some exceptions, self-assessments of competence are low, and barriers to practice include lack of skill, case complexity, and lack of resources. Identified training needs suggest that, despite discipline-specific differences, a large proportion of clinicians report an interest in learning more about all areas of the management of pediatric eating disorders, including prevention efforts. In Ontario, primary care clinicians are interested in receiving training and support to better identify and treat children and adolescents with eating disorders. As such, it is worthwhile to increase the number of training opportunities for students and professionals alike. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved)

The ability of individuals to recognise and regulate their emotions is known as emotion regulation. It is well established that difficulties in emotion regulation are associated with disordered eating. The present study explored the relationships among gender, body mass index, difficulties in emotion regulation, and disordered eating behaviours in a nonclinical sample of men and women. As part of a larger study, men (n = 85) and women (n = 165) from undergraduate university programs provided weight and height information and completed the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale and the Eating Attitudes Test. Results from regression analyses suggest that, in a nonclinical sample, gender, body mass index, and specific difficulties in emotion regulation are related to disordered eating attitudes and behaviours. With respect to dieting, some of these relationships are more complex and involve interactions between BMI and both gender and impulse control.

Studies show that primary care clinicians struggle with the assessment and treatment of eating disorders in adults. There are no known studies examining current practices of clinicians with respect to eating disorders in children and adolescents. The following study describes the key practices of primary care clinicians in Ontario, Canada, around the screening, assessment, and treatment of eating disorders in children and adolescents. A 24-item survey was developed to obtain information from family physicians and psychologists about presenting complaints and current practices related to the assessment and treatment of eating disorders. Findings of this study suggest that despite discipline-specific differences, a large proportion of clinicians do not routinely screen for eating disorders, and when eating disorders are assessed and treatment is initiated, family members are not routinely involved in the process. In Ontario, primary care clinicians may benefit from more training and support to better identify and treat children and adolescents with eating disorders. In particular, clinicians may require additional training around screening, multi-informant assessment methods, as well as appropriate therapy techniques.