Eating Disorders in U.S. Active Duty Military Members and Veterans: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Military Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Feeding and eating disorders (FEDs) present significant treatment challenges and frequently co-occur with other mental health conditions.
• A 2015 systematic review is the last comprehensive analysis of FEDs in military and veteran populations, necessitating an updated review of current literature.
• Understanding FEDs in active duty and veteran populations is crucial due to their unique health considerations.

Approach:

• A systematic review was conducted adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
• Literature search utilized established databases and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms.
• Studies were categorized and graded using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence.

Key Points:

• Twenty-one studies reported prevalence estimates for FEDs, with rates varying by demographic factors.
• Trauma exposure demonstrates a consistent association with the development of eating disorders.
• Individuals diagnosed with eating disorders exhibited higher healthcare utilization rates.

Conclusions:

• Research on FEDs within military and veteran populations has grown substantially in recent years.
• Limitations include reliance on self-reported data, evolving medical record systems, and challenges in generalizability.
• Future research should explore the influence of demographics and trauma on FED development in these specific populations.