The Food, Eating and Wellbeing (FEW) Project is the first national competitively funded research initiative focused on eating disorders and disordered eating in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Supported by funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the project is commissioned by the Australian Eating Disorders Research and Translation Centre (AEDRTC) at the University of Sydney and delivered by First Nations Co. in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia. The project is governed by an independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led Project Advisory Governance Group, bringing together community leaders, researchers and health system experts to provide cultural governance, strategic oversight and guidance throughout the project.
The project is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led and guided by cultural governance, community priorities, and strengths-based approaches. Through community partnerships, the project will build a culturally informed evidence base to strengthen prevention, early intervention, treatment, and policy responses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
A culturally grounded understanding of eating disorders and disordered eating in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Community-informed frameworks and guidance.
- Culturally appropriate language and terminology resources.
- Evidence to inform future policy, service design and clinical care.
- Resources to support researchers, clinicians and communities.
- Increased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and capability in eating disorder research.
This landmark project represents an important step towards ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, knowledge and lived experience shape the future of eating disorder research, policy and care in Australia.
Scientific oversight through Professor Sarah Maguire as Scientific Advisor.
First Nations Co.
© 2026 InsideOut
InsideOut acknowledges the tradition of custodianship and law of the Country on which the University of Sydney and Charles Perkins Centre campus stands. We pay our respects to those who have cared and continue to care for Country. We are committed to diversifying research and eliminating inequities and discrimination in healthcare. We welcome all people regardless of age, gender, race, size, sexuality, language, socioeconomic status, location or ability.