University of Sydney, Monash University, La Trobe University

The Holistic Understanding Study - Australia’s largest investigation into the core features of eating disorders ever performed.

This study involves the phenotyping and genotyping across the spectrum of eating disorders, by investigating the core features and mechanisms of the illness through a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach. The co-designed, multi-site project recruiting 1000 Australians from diverse backgrounds combines clinical interviews, psychological and cognitive measures, neuroimaging, and biological sampling to build a comprehensive assessment of each participants' unique experience of an eating disorder.

The Holistic Understanding Study is recruiting 1000+ Australians aged 14 years and over who have been diagnosed with, or suspect they may have an eating disorder. This includes diagnosed or undiagnosed anorexia nervosa (including atypical anorexia nervosa), bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, Avoidant & Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), or Other Specified Food or Eating Disorder (OSFED). Participants must also have English reading and speaking proficiency, and basic computer literacy.

The study combines clinical interviews, computer-based tasks, psychological and cognitive measures, neuroimaging, and biological sampling. The results will contribute to an evidence base that shapes how eating disorders are treated in future, and broaden our understanding of who develops an eating disorder, how they present, and why. There are two clinical trials attached to the Holistic Understanding Study – For Me and TailorED. Those eligible will receive free treatment for Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Binge Eating Disorder.