The evolving profile of eating disorders and their treatment in a changing and globalised world

It has been more than 70 years since the first eating disorder, anorexia nervosa, was included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Since then, recognition of a spectrum of disorders with eating difficulties has grown. 1 Dell'Osso L Abelli M Carpita B et al. Historical evolution of the concept of anorexia nervosa and relationships with orthorexia nervosa, autism, and obsessive–compulsive spectrum. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016; 12: 1651-1660 Crossref PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar We draw on academic, clinical, and lived experience expertise to identify two inter-related challenges in the understanding and treatment of eating disorders: the need for recognition of diverse presentations and increased attention to biological explanations in eating disorders.