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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
The Treatment Experiences of Vegetarians and Vegans with an Eating Disorder: A Qualitative Study
Nutrients, Vol.17(2), 345
18/01/2025
Appears in Recent Faculty of Education Publications
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Abstract
Background: Vegetarianism and veganism have long been tied to disordered eating and are frequently considered to be methods of limiting available food choices. Health professionals specializing in eating disorder treatment may modify their treatment practices to support their vegetarian or vegan clients. However, there are no formally recognized clinical guidelines for the treatment of eating disorders in these groups. Moreover, no studies have yet explored the experiences of seeking and receiving eating disorder treatment while adhering to vegetarianism or veganism, which are needed to inform the development of guidelines. The present study aims to explore the lived experiences of vegetarians and vegans on eating disorder treatment through semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis. Methods: Seventeen participants (aged 19–48, 76% female, 41% vegan) with a history of receiving eating disorder treatment were recruited. Results: We identified five themes that participants described as important experiences for the treatment of their eating disorder when sought as a vegetarian or vegan: (1) Health professional perspectives, (2) The interaction of dietary status with treatment quality, (3) The give and take of treatment, (4) Lack of flexibility in treatment services, and (5) Current treatment approaches not well equipped to support dietary variations. Conclusions: This paper identifies the complex relationship between eating disorders, veganism, and vegetarianism and the perceptions of treatment from the perspectives of those who have received treatment. Our findings suggest that acknowledgement and the flexibility to work with an individual’s vegan and vegetarian values within treatment may contribute to enhanced outcomes and treatment experiences. Limitations include potential participation and response biases and a predominantly female-identifying sample. This study will contribute to the development of clinical guidelines when working with vegan and vegetarian clients.
Details
- Title
- The Treatment Experiences of Vegetarians and Vegans with an Eating Disorder: A Qualitative Study
- Creators
- Courtney McLean (Corresponding Author) - LaTrobe UniversityKathleen de Boer (Author) - LaTrobe UniversityMegan Lee (Author) - Bond UniversitySian McLean (Author) - LaTrobe University
- Publication Details
- Nutrients, Vol.17(2), 345
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Grant note
- This research was funded by the 2024 La Trobe University School of Psychology and Public Health Resuscitation Grant.
- Identifiers
- 991013251061102368
- Copyright
- © 2025 by the authors
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article