Fifty Years of Eating Disorder Research: Growth, Gaps, and Global Challenges

Abstract

The bibliometric study by Lee and Chi presents the most comprehensive analysis of eating disorder (ED) research publications to date, tracing publication trends, thematic developments, and the interplay between academic and public attention over the past five decades. The findings reveal a marked and sustained growth in ED-related publications since the early 2000s, reflecting the field's consolidation while also underscoring persistent imbalances. Notably, the analysis highlights the dominance of English-speaking countries in research output, the underrepresentation of lower-income regions, and the limited visibility of certain EDs and demographic groups. Network analyses of Medical Subject Headings' terms indicate thematic stability over time but also point to neglected areas of clinical relevance. Furthermore, the weak correlation between academic citations and public attention raises important questions about science communication and the alignment of scholarly impact with societal salience. To enhance global inclusivity and scientific relevance, it is proposed that publication barriers be removed, thematic scope broadened, and cross-disciplinary collaboration strengthened. Such strategies are essential to enable ED research to remain responsive to evolving clinical needs within culturally and demographically diverse populations amid an increasingly complex global landscape.