Intersectionality-informed eating pathology research: A scoping review

This scoping review aimed to synthesize findings from intersectionality-informed eating pathology (EP) research and documented how intersectionality has been operationalized in this body of literature.

Systematic literature searches were conducted in October 2022 and updated in May 2025 across six databases. Articles meeting the following criteria were included: 1) written in English, 2) published in peer-reviewed journals, 3) acknowledged and/or employed intersectionality as a study rationale, 4) employed intersectional investigations, and 5) addressed EP as an outcome.

A total of 42 articles were included, comprising 27 quantitative, 14 qualitative, and one mixed-methods study. Limited engagement with intersectionality was evident, with 21 quantitative and 11 qualitative findings citing foundational authors and 11 quantitative and 8 qualitative findings providing a definition or explanation of intersectionality. While all qualitative articles addressed the concept of power by considering both social identities and systems of oppression, less than half of the quantitative articles did so (n = 13). Sex/gender and race/ethnicity were the most frequently employed exposures in exploring EP, while other social identities (e.g., sexual orientation) were relatively overlooked. The most commonly investigated intersection was sex/gender × race/ethnicity, followed by sex/gender × race/ethnicity × sexism × racism. Body image was the most common EP outcome examined.

Most EP research is limited in its engagement with intersectionality. This review highlights the underrepresentation of diverse social identities and associated systems of oppression, as well as prevalent patterns of gender binarism. Based on these gaps, recommendations for future research were provided.