Disordered Eating Behaviors in Individuals With Physical Disabilities: A Narrative Review

Abstract

This paper aims to review the current literature on the prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) and their manifestations in individuals with physical disabilities (IWPD). To do this, we performed a comprehensive search of PubMed and identified 631 articles that were potentially relevant to this study. Following a title, abstract, and full-text review, 48 articles were selected. Among the 48 articles included in this review, demographics which were assessed included individuals with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, and athletes with disabilities. These articles were primarily case reports or cross-sectional studies that discussed anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating, food addiction, pica, and sleep-related eating disorders. Upon further analysis of these articles, we conclude eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors are prevalent among individuals with physical disabilities though different disabilities often exhibit different EDs originating from different etiologies.