Support for young people with higher weight & eating difficulties
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring support for young people living with higher weight and experiencing eating difficulties
IRAS ID
358594
Contact name
Kaydee Shepherd
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Beckett University
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study seeks to explore support for young people living with higher weight and disordered eating. Holistic and specialised weight management support for young people is being provided in a variety of forms via the NHS England commissioned Complications of Excess Weight (CEW) clinics. Within the overarching NIHR-funded evaluation of these clinics (Evaluating the NHS England Complications of Excess Weight services for children and young people, ENHANCE, https://www.enhance-research.com/), there is an additional Study Within a Project (SWAP) that will examine what provision is available within the CEW clinics around disordered eating. This PhD study will explore the disordered eating support in depth in two CEW clinics which have been identified as offering structured support. Within these two clinics, patients and staff will be recruited to take part in online interviews, and in-clinic observations will be conducted when disordered eating support is provided. Interviews with patients and their families will examine their perceptions of the support received and the lived experiences of the young person with specific focus on their eating behaviours. In preparation for the interviews, patients will be advised on some creative activities (e.g. drawing, photo elicitation) which they may wish to complete to help them explore their thoughts and feelings. Interviews with the staff delivering the support will explore the support they provide and their professional opinion around delivery and efficacy. Observations will be conducted of 1) the clinical appointments in which disordered eating support is delivered, and/or 2) team meetings about support provision, to gain a better understanding of the support provided from an independent lens. The end output of this study would be evidence-based recommendations to inform health care professionals and CEW clinics of how to best offer disordered eating support for young people living with higher weight.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
25/NS/0085
Date of REC Opinion
4 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion