Early intervention for eating disorders: a call to action for inclusion of minoritized groups

Eating disorders (EDs) are prevalent mental health conditions that occur globally and affect all population subgroups. Despite their severity and widespread impact, EDs are frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated, particularly among individuals from minoritized racial and ethnic backgrounds, and groups that have been historically excluded from ED research. Early intervention (EI) has been shown to improve outcomes by reducing untreated illness duration, yet its implementation remains limited. This commentary examines patient-, clinician-, and systemic-level barriers to the timely detection and treatment of EDs, with an emphasis on how these barriers impact individuals from minoritized backgrounds. Evidence-based strategies to improve access to EI are also discussed as pathways to more equitable and effective care. Increasing access to EI and culturally informed treatments is essential to mitigating the burden of EDs and improving outcomes across populations.