Pathological Eating Patterns in Adults Displaying Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms: A Scoping Review

Numerous studies have now shown that those with eating disorders have statistically higher rates of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, much less is known about the eating behaviours of adults with OCD. This scoping review aimed to identify and synthesise the existing literature describing pathological eating behaviours in adults with OCD and/or obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms.

The databases PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect and PsychNet were searched in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Fifty-nine studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. There was a high occurrence of eating disorders identified in both adults with a diagnosis of OCD and in those with elevated OC symptoms. The literature appears inconclusive as to which eating disorders most commonly co-occur alongside OCD. Furthermore, it was noted that a number of adults with OCD and those with elevated OC symptoms showed high levels of eating behaviours falling below clinical thresholds, including behaviours synonymous with avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder and orthorexia nervosa.

Future research needs to identify underlying factors for these problematic eating behaviours in OCD to adapt current treatment modalities to meet this group's needs. Addressing particular subsets of adults with OCD and/or OC symptoms, such as those with co-occurring anxiety and mood disorders, may be key to understanding who are most at risk.

The scoping review was registered on OSF: https://osf.io/s8kan.