Eating disorders (Netherlands)

About this PSP

Over 100,000 girls between 12 and 18 years old struggle with an eating disorder in the Netherlands. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, which highlights the importance of research in this field.

The Eating Disorders PSP was initiated by Eric van Furth, Professor of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychiatry at Leiden University Medical Centre.

The Eating Disorders (Netherlands) PSP was published in July 2016.


PSP website (in Dutch)
Articles and publications
Impact after the Top 10

Top 10 Priorities

  1. Which factors influence the duration of recovery and the possibility of complete recovery?
  2. Which patient and disorder-related features can be used to provide more personalised treatment?
  3. Is it more effective to address the eating disorder symptoms first or the underlying problems?
  4. What is the most effective treatment (and order of treatment) for patients with an eating disorder and a co-morbid disorder?
  5. Which treatment setting (outpatient, at home, day treatment, inpatient/residential, with or without parents) provides the best treatment outcome?
  6. How can loved ones contribute to the recovery process of the eating disorder?
  7. Are there specific risk factors for the development of an eating disorder, and if so, how can prevention target these?
  8. What is the influence of the quality of the working relationship between the treatment team and the patient on treatment outcome?
  9. Is it better to use a protocol based on a guideline or to tailor treatment to the individual?
  10. What causes the need for self-destructive behaviour in patients with an eating disorder?

The following questions were also discussed and put in order of priority at the workshop:

  1. What is needed to ensure that contacts between clients with eating disorders are helping and not destructive?
  2. What predicts the development of an eating disorder? Are there distinct signs?
  3. What is the best way to educate the direct evironment of clients with an eating disorder in order to take away prejudices?
  4. What is the impact of the shared and non-shared environment on the development of an eating disorder?
  5. What role do genetic factors play in the development of an eating disorder?
  6. Which therapies have a positive effect on reducing binge eating in clients with an eating disorder?
  7. What is the most effective / best treatment for clients with eating disorders?
  8. What is an effective treatment for men with eating disorders?
  9. What is the relationship between the eating disorder and the other co-morbid disorder?
  10. What is the relationship between hormone levels and eating disorders? Is there a lasting hormonal change?
  11. What influence can type 1 diabetes have on the development of an eating disorder?
  12. Are eating disorder patients more competitive than their peers?