1246 - Disordered Eating Behaviors in Individuals with Physical Disabilities: A Narrative Review

A PubMed search in June 2025 identified 631 articles using independent and MeSH terms. Inclusion required studies to address the clinical presentation or prevalence of ≥1 type of disordered eating behavior in samples with ≥1 physical disability. Systematic and narrative reviews were excluded, though their sources were screened for eligible studies. After independent review of titles, abstracts, and full texts, 48 articles were included.

Results: Articles were grouped into categories including spina bifida, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease, and athletes with disabilities. Most studies were cross-sectional, case reports, or interviews.

Key trends emerged: Parkinson’s patients on dopamine agonists had elevated binge eating risk; traumatic brain injury involving frontal or temporal lobes correlated with disordered eating; and restrictive patterns appeared across multiple disabilities, often tied to poor body image or mood disorders. In some cases, restrictive dieting reflected appetite changes after disability onset or attempts to alleviate symptoms through weight loss.

Conclusions:

This review suggests clear associations between physical disability and disordered eating, though larger studies are needed to clarify prevalence and mechanisms. Both general and disability-specific factors may play a role. Current assessment methods are inconsistent, relying on diverse surveys and interviews. Future research should establish validated tools to evaluate eating disorders in IWPD.