The influence of autism on restrictive eating disorders in women v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The influence of social communication styles and cognitive profiles on restrictive eating disorders in women
IRAS ID
259480
Contact name
John Fox
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Innovation Services, Cardiff University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 2 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
The Influence of Autism on Restrictive Eating Disorders (REDs) in Women
Previous research suggests that 20-30% of women in treatment for Anorexia Nervosa (AN) are likely to be on the autism spectrum. Our interview study with autistic women with experience of AN, parents and healthcare professionals suggested that the presentation of AN in autistic women is different to a typical AN presentation. Their AN was rarely driven by weight and shape concerns and tended to stem directly from their autism, reflecting social difficulties, sensory aversions and a need for predictability and control.Following on from the findings of our interview study, the current study aims to look at the role of the specific autistic traits, e.g. sensory aversions and need for predictability, in the development of REDs such as AN. We hope to do this by comparing three participant groups: autistic women with AN, autistic women without AN and women with AN who are not on the autism spectrum.
As well as specific autistic traits, there are also some traits typically seen in AN, such as pride in eating and restricting abilities, and weight and shape concerns, that we expect would be less apparent in autistic individuals. A lack of these traits in autistic women with AN would suggest an autism-specific AN presentation.
Participants will be asked to complete a battery of self-report questionnaires, observational, physiological and computer-based experimental tasks to measure these factors. We expect the procedure to take approximately 2 hours and will be conducted either on NHS sites, the University or the participant’s own home.
This study hopes to deepen our understanding of autism-specific factors that cause and maintain AN. This will help eating disorder services to improve how they engage with and treat autistic patients.
This study is funded by Autistica.
Summary of Results
250 participants completed the study, made up of three groups: autistic women with a restrictive eating disorder (e.g. anoreixa nervosa), non-autistic women with a restrictive eating disorder and autistic women without an eating disorder.Autistic women with a restrictive eating disorder overall reported poorer service experiences when being treated for an eating disorder, when compared ot non-autistic women. These findings can be seen here: https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fu2790089.ct.sendgrid.net%2Fls%2Fclick%3Fupn%3DXv3JSvJ-2B3M71ppf7N9agbcUoCAN5SevSGc3QEM-2BIE8KwQfX63Hlzs9xKfCFOI5iWP-2BqFD1XJVud1-2B8fYPTk3jQ-3D-3DURG__E1aO2-2BZlVOSJJV-2FajQqskegTd6IRomHYTi-2Fbt8SH3YKf7FmvwqBZNSfVyQdWZtqP7vkOKKks3N92WzHMXEEHgG-2BvWuL7UO6T5HZ3u-2FFilFes6YWsSyJjAtYCTOeu3J9OTOb0T3sIpb3A2M3qVNmZquPXR2kTdveveShHj-2Fsp6MvWyyuNKdDJYkWHCPBEfHofQbq5qF0lhTotPzkesREWrg-3D-3D&data=05%7C01%7Capprovals%40hra.nhs.uk%7Ccbdd71f5bb5e4bb5819d08da9250cc32%7C8e1f0acad87d4f20939e36243d574267%7C0%7C0%7C637983172960265983%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=qT7e%2FCNpFWICMqQRSWpdUnWQawAbReRhRQEPGF%2BSajk%3D&reserved=0
Autistic women with a restrictive eating disorder also reported different sensory and cognitive profiles compared to those without an eating disorder and non-autistic women with a restrictive eating disorder. For example, non-autistic women reported more body shape concerns than autistic women with and without a restrictive eating disorder. Both autistic and non-autistic women with a restrictive eating disorder reported higher levels of pride in eating abilities than autistic women without an eating disorder. We aim to publish these and other findings in due course.
This research is important because it can help us to understand how we can best support autistic women who are in treatment for a restrictive eating disorder and work towards tailoring their care to meet their needs.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
19/WA/0303
Date of REC Opinion
15 Nov 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion