Background: Current nosographic systems, which include chapters dedicated to eating disorders (EDs), offer clinically useful criteria but insufficiently address symptom overlap, heterogeneity within the same diagnosis, or its changes in time, and emerging or context-dependent eating-related phenotypes (ERP). Therefore, a transdiagnostic dimensional approach may be useful because it can describe, in a more nuanced manner, the psychopathological processes shared across various clinical presentations. Objectives: To develop a dimensional eating psychopathology framework as a hypothesis-generating instrument for characterizing established EDs and emerging or context-dependent ERPs. Methods: A conceptual model-development approach was applied for extending a previously proposed integrative classification of EDs and related phenomena. A set of hypothesized dimensions was selected according to their transdiagnostic applicability, dimensional nature, conceptual distinction from diagnostic labels, and potential clinical relevance. Characteristics describing the circumstances in which psychopathology is expressed were represented separately as contextual modifiers. Applying this framework, 15 ERPs were mapped theoretically across eight dimensions using a five-level ordinal scale. Results: The proposed model is composed of eight core dimensions: body-image overvaluation, restrictive dietary control, loss of control over eating, compulsivity and cognitive rigidity, reward/addiction-like eating, emotion-regulation dependence, interoceptive dysregulation, and compensatory or body-modifying behavior. Six contextual factors with modifying properties were identified, i.e., circadian/sleep, medical treatment, substance use, reproductive, athletic/performance, and health/purity-related contexts. Conclusions: The currently proposed model offers a common descriptive framework for comparing recognized EDs, emerging constructs, behavioral phenotypes, and context-dependent presentations without implying equivalent diagnostic status. In its early stages of development, the model requires formal content validation, independent expert assessment, and patient-level empirical testing before it can be used as a classification or clinical instrument.
Background and Aim: Eating disorders are one of the most important issues in mental health that leading to many serious psychic and somatic problems and even death. These disorders were known for years as a disease of the western societies. Recent studies showed that they are also spreading in eastern countries. Limited studies are in Iran. The purpose of this study is to review the Iranian researches. The results of this study in Iran as a developing Asian country will helpful for other societies, especially similar Asian communities. Methods: The authors searched PubMed, ProQuest, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Sciences, and SID and Magiran (In Persian) to find the relevant articles. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess the quality of research. Results: Twenty- nine studies reported the prevalence or occurrence of eating disorders among the Iranian population. The samples consisted of 40 to 30,532 subjects. Forty papers examined eating disorders among females. Twenty-seven studies were in both genders, and only one was in males. Most eating disorders have significantly varied depending on the different studies and tools used. Most of these articles studied young people. This study breaks the determinants into three parts: demographic, psychosocial, and miscellaneous factors. The incidence of eating disorders in Iran is on the rise. Conclusions: It should be considered a significant health problem. Moreover, despite a clear cultural difference, eating disorders' factors were similar to those in western communities. This matter may be an essential health issue. In addition, despite noticeable cultural differences, the factors affecting eating disorders were similar to those of western communities.
