DClinPsy Portfolio Volume 1 of 3 - University of Hertfordshire ...

This phenomenon has encouraged further research into a transdiagnostic perspective on
the maintenance of eating disorders (Fairburn et al, 2003) which is in its infancy and
lacks adequate evaluation. The CBT-E model does not include inflexible emotional
processing which this paper will seek to explore.
With regards to obesity, much literature has focused on the problem of weight loss
maintenance. It has been suggested that one of the most significant psychological risk
factors for weight regain is a higher level of depression, dietary disinhibition, and binge
eating levels, (Maguire, Wing, Klem, Lang, Hill, 1999). This research was conducted in
an adult population but studies with children and adolescence with obesity also indicate
an association (e.g. Sjoberg, Nilsson and Leppert, 2005). As depression and binge eating
are also implicated in the eating disorders, these commonalities may, as already
suggested, indicate the need to identify a transdiagnostic process.
Prevention of eating disorders and obesity
Prevention methods for eating disorders and obesity already overlap. For example,
healthy weight management, healthy eating patterns, increased physical activity,
enhanced media literacy, positive body image, and effective skills for coping with
negative affect and with stressors are preventative methods that have been applied to both
eating disorders and obesity. Neumark-Sztainer, Story, Hannan and Rex, (2003) suggest
that an important direction for this field is to develop programmes that address the broad
spectrum of weight-related problems.
Neumark–Sztainer et al (2007) summarised the efficacy of programs for the prevention of
body dissatisfaction and disordered eating so far, by dividing them into targeted or
universal-selective programs. Targeted prevention focuses on people who do not yet have
an eating disorder, but who are at high risk because they have clear precursors, such as a
very negative body image. School or community-based interventions with preadolescent
and adolescent girls are examples of universal-selective prevention programs where risk
is not identified.
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