Projects and activities
ED HIT activities cover research and patient and public involvement. We aim to champion equality, diversity and inclusion in all that we do as a HIT.
Eating Disorders HIT Body Mass Index (BMI) survey
The NHS Body Mass Index (BMI) calculator is a standard way to measure whether people have a healthy weight. Your BMI result is displayed as a number with a corresponding category of underweight, a healthy weight, overweight or obese.
Public contributors have suggested that the NHS BMI calculator is not culturally sensitive, as perceptions of obesity change from person to person, and between people from different cultures. It was also acknowledged that maintaining a healthy weight can sometimes force people to practise restrictive eating habits.
The EDHIT has worked with the Healthy Weight HIT to launch an anonymous survey to find out how people feel about the NHS BMI calculator.
Research
Our HIT director Christine Ramsey-Wade is an academic based at University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). She is involved in a range of projects, including supervising doctoral theses on trans and non-binary experiences of eating disorders and the experience of disordered eating among South Asian university students.
EDHIT holds an annual research conference to exchange knowledge and build networks. It is attended by healthcare professionals working in eating disorder services and charity sector organisations across the UK.
In 2024 we welcomed more than 160 participants online, with representation from across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire, as well as nationally and internationally.
The theme was ‘equality, diversity and inclusion and eating disorders’ and raised awareness of the specific needs of people living with eating disorders from under-represented and minoritized groups, with a focus on low socioeconomic populations, autism and black communities.
Presenters and topics
- Body image and socioeconomic status: Samantha (Sam) Hahn, Assistant Professor & Population Health Researcher, Central Michigan University College of Medicine, USA
- Body image and autism: Phaedra Longhurst, PhD Researcher & Associate Lecturer, Anglia Ruskin University, UK
- Lived experience talk: Constance Shiridzinomwa, a Black parent, caring for a loved one with an eating disorder
Feedback from the event indicated improvements in practice, through the provision of more inclusive and person-centred care.
“The blend of lived experiences, education and raising awareness was really insightful and offered the listener much to reflect on in both a professional sense (with barriers within services) but personal sense (challenging ones own assumptions).”
“I found the research on positive body image in Autism helpful, as I often work with young people that may describe some bodily sensations that were talked about and it helped to understand how to describe these and relate with them.”
“I have learnt not only the importance of focusing on the individual as a whole unique person, but also to be mindful of the impact EDs may/can have on the support systems of these individuals.”
“I would like to research the topic of eating disorder for people with autism more in detail and implement some of the evidence-based strategies when working with clients with autism.”
Patient and public engagement
We hold a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) event annually. This event is organised and hosted by our Peer Co-Director and PPI Lead Carolyn. It’s an event for those with lived experience of eating disorders or eating difficulties, as well as family, carers and friends. Please see more details in the patient and public engagement section.
