Understanding and Treating Eating Disorders in Regional Communities
Tracks
Prince
| Thursday, November 5, 2026 |
| 2:25 PM - 2:45 PM |
Overview
Rachael Cronin, La Trobe University
Three Key Learnings
1. An understanding of how biological, psychological, and social factors interact in the development and maintenance of eating disorders, and why this integrated perspective matters for early identification in rural settings.
2. Insight into how large‑scale, collaborative research programs, such as the Holistic Understanding and TailorED studies, are being designed to improve access, participation, and representation for people living in regional and rural communities.
3. Awareness of emerging personalised treatment approaches being tested for individuals who do not respond to first‑line therapies, and how these innovations may strengthen future care pathways across the broader mental health system.
Presenter
Dr Rachael Cronin
Research Fellow
La Trobe University
Understanding and Treating Eating Disorders in Regional Communities
Presentation Overview
Introduction
Eating disorders such as Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN) are severe, persistent conditions that affect eating behaviours, cognitions, and functioning (Guarda, 2023). Despite their impact, risk and maintenance factors remain poorly understood, and many people experience long diagnosis and treatment delays. These delays are even more pronounced in regional communities, where diagnosis can be delayed by an additional 3.5 years than in metropolitan areas. While evidence‑based treatments exist, treatment response varies widely.
In regional settings, where specialist services, funding, and workforce capacity are limited, understanding the biopsychosocial factors that predict and maintain EDs is essential to support earlier identification and more tailored interventions for rural communities.
The current studies are being conducted in partnership with the Australian Eating Disorder Research and Translation Centre. La Trobe University is one of three sites, alongside the University of Sydney and Monash University, and the only regional site.
The Holistic Understanding study aims to build an integrated picture of the mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of EDs. The TailorED study aims to test novel BN and BED treatments in those who do not respond rapidly (within four weeks) to first‑line, evidence‑based treatment.
Methods
The Holistic Understanding study uses a longitudinal observational design assessing a range of biopsychosocial characteristics across ED diagnoses. Participants complete up to four assessments, including two online surveys, clinical interview, cognitive tasks, and blood and faecal samples over four timepoints.
The TailorED study is a randomised controlled trial. All participants receive four weeks of self‑guided CBT; non‑rapid responders are then randomised to personalised psychotherapy, personalised transcranial magnetic stimulation, or continued CBT. Outcomes are assessed at end‑of‑treatment and six‑month follow‑up.
Data collection is underway. These studies will deepen understanding of ED onset and maintenance while also expanding access to specialised ED treatment within regional communities.
Eating disorders such as Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN) are severe, persistent conditions that affect eating behaviours, cognitions, and functioning (Guarda, 2023). Despite their impact, risk and maintenance factors remain poorly understood, and many people experience long diagnosis and treatment delays. These delays are even more pronounced in regional communities, where diagnosis can be delayed by an additional 3.5 years than in metropolitan areas. While evidence‑based treatments exist, treatment response varies widely.
In regional settings, where specialist services, funding, and workforce capacity are limited, understanding the biopsychosocial factors that predict and maintain EDs is essential to support earlier identification and more tailored interventions for rural communities.
The current studies are being conducted in partnership with the Australian Eating Disorder Research and Translation Centre. La Trobe University is one of three sites, alongside the University of Sydney and Monash University, and the only regional site.
The Holistic Understanding study aims to build an integrated picture of the mechanisms involved in the development and maintenance of EDs. The TailorED study aims to test novel BN and BED treatments in those who do not respond rapidly (within four weeks) to first‑line, evidence‑based treatment.
Methods
The Holistic Understanding study uses a longitudinal observational design assessing a range of biopsychosocial characteristics across ED diagnoses. Participants complete up to four assessments, including two online surveys, clinical interview, cognitive tasks, and blood and faecal samples over four timepoints.
The TailorED study is a randomised controlled trial. All participants receive four weeks of self‑guided CBT; non‑rapid responders are then randomised to personalised psychotherapy, personalised transcranial magnetic stimulation, or continued CBT. Outcomes are assessed at end‑of‑treatment and six‑month follow‑up.
Data collection is underway. These studies will deepen understanding of ED onset and maintenance while also expanding access to specialised ED treatment within regional communities.
Biography
Dr Rachael Cronin is a research fellow and lecturer in the School of Psychology and Public Health at La Trobe University. Her research area focuses on stress, wellbeing, and the physiological and psychological underpinnings of the stress-health relationship across diverse populations. She has a particular interest in strengthening research and clinical capacity in regional communities and developing evidence-based strategies that support individuals and communities to thrive.
Dr Cronin is one of the Site Coordinators at La Trobe University for a multi-arm, multi-site clinical trial phenotyping and genotyping illness for the Australian Eating Disorders Research and Translation Centre's (AEDRTC) Signature Studies.
