Eating disorder risk during behavioral weight management in adults with obesity

This systematic review analyzed the change in eating disorder risk during weight management interventions for adults with overweight/obesity. 49 eligible trials were identified, and the interventions ranged from 4 weeks to 18 months, with follow-up of 10 weeks to 36 months post-intervention. Within the group, a reduction in global eating disorder scores and binge eating was observed post-intervention and maintained at follow-up. Behavioral weight management interventions do not increase eating disorder symptoms for most adults, but a small subset of participants may experience disordered eating, and monitoring for the emergence of symptoms is important.