Lecture 1
Vigo, Jones, Atun, & Thornicroft, 2022
The true global disease burden of mental illness: still elusive
What was investigated:
The study investigated the true global burden of mental illness, specifically focusing on the Disability
Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) metric used in the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) 2019 report. The
study critically examines the GBD methodology and estimates the global disease burden for mental
health disorders.
Why it was investigated:
Despite significant global efforts to estimate the burden of mental disorders, there are ongoing concerns
that the GBD’s methodology may underestimate the true impact of mental illness. Specifically, the
exclusion of certain disorders, such as substance use disorders, and the lack of inclusion of mortality
data, paints an incomplete picture of the true burden. The authors aimed to address these gaps and
highlight the importance of more accurate estimates for guiding global health policies.
How it was investigated:
The authors reviewed the GBD 2019 estimates and reanalyzed the DALY calculations using an
alternative framework that included additional disorders, such as substance use disorders and suicide.
This reanalysis allowed for a comparison between the original GBD estimates and a more
comprehensive model that includes the full scope of mental, neurological, and substance use disorders.
What did they find:
The GBD 2019 report estimated that mental disorders accounted for 4.9% of global DALYs.
However, when the authors applied their alternative methodology, which included previously
excluded factors like suicide and substance use, the burden nearly doubled to 13% of global
DALYs.
This updated estimate placed the mental health-related burden on par with cardiovascular
diseases and significantly higher than cancers and chronic respiratory diseases.
The GBD methodology, as currently employed, fails to fully account for mortality and
disability from mental illnesses, leading to an underestimation of their true global burden.
What can we do with these findings:
These findings suggest the need for a revised approach to estimating the global burden of mental
illness, one that includes all relevant factors, such as mortality due to mental health conditions.
Accurate estimates are crucial for advocating for appropriate resource allocation and prioritization of
mental health in global health systems. Policymakers can use these findings to guide future research
and funding to better address the mental health crisis worldwide.
Lecture 2
McLean and Paxton
,Body Image in the Context of Eating Disorders
What was investigated:
The study investigates body image dissatisfaction and its role in the development, maintenance, and
treatment of eating disorders. It specifically examines body dissatisfaction as core psychopathology in
eating disorders and evaluates models explaining the development of negative body image.
Why it was investigated:
Body dissatisfaction is a prevalent issue that can lead to severe mental health challenges, including
eating disorders. The investigation seeks to understand the relationship between body dissatisfaction
and eating disorders to enhance prevention and treatment efforts. By addressing body image concerns
early, the goal is to reduce the risk of disordered eating behaviors and improve treatment outcomes.
Body dissatisfaction is linked to a range of negative psychological and behavioral outcomes, such as:
Low self-esteem and depression, especially in adolescents.
Engagement in unhealthy behaviors like extreme dieting or excessive exercise.
Predicting eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa (BN) and anorexia nervosa (AN).
How it was investigated:
The article reviews the literature on body image dissatisfaction, models of its development, and its
manifestation in eating disorders. It also explores intervention strategies for body dissatisfaction within
the context of eating disorder treatment, as well as the effectiveness of prevention programs aimed at
reducing body image issues.
Models of Development of Body Dissatisfaction
1. Sociocultural model: Emphasizes societal pressures (media, family, peers) that push individuals
toward unrealistic body ideals, leading to dissatisfaction when they fail to meet these standards.
2. Biopsychosocial model: Includes genetic, biological, and psychological factors like low self-esteem,
perfectionism, and larger body size.
3. Objectification theory: Suggests that societal norms view bodies, especially female bodies, as
objects, leading individuals to evaluate themselves based on external standards.
What did they find:
Body dissatisfaction is a significant risk factor for the onset of eating disorders such as anorexia
nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN).
Sociocultural pressures, internalization of appearance ideals, and upward body comparison are
key contributors to body dissatisfaction.
Intervention programs, such as media literacy and cognitive dissonance, have shown promise in
preventing body dissatisfaction, especially among high-risk groups like adolescents.
Interventions aim to treat body dissatisfaction as either part of eating disorder treatment or as a
standalone issue. Approaches include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Focuses on reducing body checking and avoidance behaviors.
, - Graded exposure: Encourages patients to confront their body-related anxieties gradually.
- Cognitive restructuring: Aims to change negative body-related thoughts and reduce comparisons.
What can we do with these findings:
The findings suggest that prevention programs focusing on reducing appearance pressures and
promoting body acceptance could be highly effective in reducing body dissatisfaction and preventing
eating disorders. Treatment approaches should continue to integrate body image interventions to
improve long-term outcomes for individuals with eating disorders. Future research and clinical efforts
should aim to expand prevention and treatment strategies to underrepresented populations, such as men
and individuals with higher body weight.
Ashlye Borden and Catherine Cook-Cottone
Yoga and Eating Disorder Prevention and Treatment – A Comprehensive Review and Meta-Analysis
What was investigated:
The study investigated the effectiveness of yoga interventions in the prevention and treatment of eating
disorders (EDs). It assessed how yoga influences global eating disorder psychopathology, binge eating,
bulimia, and body image concerns in clinical and non-clinical populations.
Why it was investigated:
eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder pose significant
health risks, and traditional treatment methods have shown only moderate success. Yoga has been
increasingly incorporated into ED treatment, but its true efficacy remained unclear. This study aimed to
provide a comprehensive review and meta-analysis to evaluate yoga's effectiveness in improving ED-
related symptoms.
How it was investigated:
The study included a comprehensive review of 43 studies and a meta-analysis of 11 randomized
controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 754 participants. It compared yoga-based interventions with
non-yoga control groups, focusing on their impact on ED symptoms, body image, and associated
psychological constructs.
What did they find:
Yoga has a small-to-moderate effect on reducing global eating disorder psychopathology.
Binge eating and bulimia: A moderate-to-large effect was observed in reducing symptoms
related to binge eating and bulimia.
Body image concerns: There was a small positive effect on improving body image concerns.
Dietary restraint: No significant effect was found regarding dietary restraint behaviors.
Overall, yoga-based interventions were effective in addressing several ED-related constructs,
although their impact on specific areas like dietary restraint remained unclear
Vigo, Jones, Atun, & Thornicroft, 2022
The true global disease burden of mental illness: still elusive
What was investigated:
The study investigated the true global burden of mental illness, specifically focusing on the Disability
Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) metric used in the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD) 2019 report. The
study critically examines the GBD methodology and estimates the global disease burden for mental
health disorders.
Why it was investigated:
Despite significant global efforts to estimate the burden of mental disorders, there are ongoing concerns
that the GBD’s methodology may underestimate the true impact of mental illness. Specifically, the
exclusion of certain disorders, such as substance use disorders, and the lack of inclusion of mortality
data, paints an incomplete picture of the true burden. The authors aimed to address these gaps and
highlight the importance of more accurate estimates for guiding global health policies.
How it was investigated:
The authors reviewed the GBD 2019 estimates and reanalyzed the DALY calculations using an
alternative framework that included additional disorders, such as substance use disorders and suicide.
This reanalysis allowed for a comparison between the original GBD estimates and a more
comprehensive model that includes the full scope of mental, neurological, and substance use disorders.
What did they find:
The GBD 2019 report estimated that mental disorders accounted for 4.9% of global DALYs.
However, when the authors applied their alternative methodology, which included previously
excluded factors like suicide and substance use, the burden nearly doubled to 13% of global
DALYs.
This updated estimate placed the mental health-related burden on par with cardiovascular
diseases and significantly higher than cancers and chronic respiratory diseases.
The GBD methodology, as currently employed, fails to fully account for mortality and
disability from mental illnesses, leading to an underestimation of their true global burden.
What can we do with these findings:
These findings suggest the need for a revised approach to estimating the global burden of mental
illness, one that includes all relevant factors, such as mortality due to mental health conditions.
Accurate estimates are crucial for advocating for appropriate resource allocation and prioritization of
mental health in global health systems. Policymakers can use these findings to guide future research
and funding to better address the mental health crisis worldwide.
Lecture 2
McLean and Paxton
,Body Image in the Context of Eating Disorders
What was investigated:
The study investigates body image dissatisfaction and its role in the development, maintenance, and
treatment of eating disorders. It specifically examines body dissatisfaction as core psychopathology in
eating disorders and evaluates models explaining the development of negative body image.
Why it was investigated:
Body dissatisfaction is a prevalent issue that can lead to severe mental health challenges, including
eating disorders. The investigation seeks to understand the relationship between body dissatisfaction
and eating disorders to enhance prevention and treatment efforts. By addressing body image concerns
early, the goal is to reduce the risk of disordered eating behaviors and improve treatment outcomes.
Body dissatisfaction is linked to a range of negative psychological and behavioral outcomes, such as:
Low self-esteem and depression, especially in adolescents.
Engagement in unhealthy behaviors like extreme dieting or excessive exercise.
Predicting eating disorders such as bulimia nervosa (BN) and anorexia nervosa (AN).
How it was investigated:
The article reviews the literature on body image dissatisfaction, models of its development, and its
manifestation in eating disorders. It also explores intervention strategies for body dissatisfaction within
the context of eating disorder treatment, as well as the effectiveness of prevention programs aimed at
reducing body image issues.
Models of Development of Body Dissatisfaction
1. Sociocultural model: Emphasizes societal pressures (media, family, peers) that push individuals
toward unrealistic body ideals, leading to dissatisfaction when they fail to meet these standards.
2. Biopsychosocial model: Includes genetic, biological, and psychological factors like low self-esteem,
perfectionism, and larger body size.
3. Objectification theory: Suggests that societal norms view bodies, especially female bodies, as
objects, leading individuals to evaluate themselves based on external standards.
What did they find:
Body dissatisfaction is a significant risk factor for the onset of eating disorders such as anorexia
nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN).
Sociocultural pressures, internalization of appearance ideals, and upward body comparison are
key contributors to body dissatisfaction.
Intervention programs, such as media literacy and cognitive dissonance, have shown promise in
preventing body dissatisfaction, especially among high-risk groups like adolescents.
Interventions aim to treat body dissatisfaction as either part of eating disorder treatment or as a
standalone issue. Approaches include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Focuses on reducing body checking and avoidance behaviors.
, - Graded exposure: Encourages patients to confront their body-related anxieties gradually.
- Cognitive restructuring: Aims to change negative body-related thoughts and reduce comparisons.
What can we do with these findings:
The findings suggest that prevention programs focusing on reducing appearance pressures and
promoting body acceptance could be highly effective in reducing body dissatisfaction and preventing
eating disorders. Treatment approaches should continue to integrate body image interventions to
improve long-term outcomes for individuals with eating disorders. Future research and clinical efforts
should aim to expand prevention and treatment strategies to underrepresented populations, such as men
and individuals with higher body weight.
Ashlye Borden and Catherine Cook-Cottone
Yoga and Eating Disorder Prevention and Treatment – A Comprehensive Review and Meta-Analysis
What was investigated:
The study investigated the effectiveness of yoga interventions in the prevention and treatment of eating
disorders (EDs). It assessed how yoga influences global eating disorder psychopathology, binge eating,
bulimia, and body image concerns in clinical and non-clinical populations.
Why it was investigated:
eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder pose significant
health risks, and traditional treatment methods have shown only moderate success. Yoga has been
increasingly incorporated into ED treatment, but its true efficacy remained unclear. This study aimed to
provide a comprehensive review and meta-analysis to evaluate yoga's effectiveness in improving ED-
related symptoms.
How it was investigated:
The study included a comprehensive review of 43 studies and a meta-analysis of 11 randomized
controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 754 participants. It compared yoga-based interventions with
non-yoga control groups, focusing on their impact on ED symptoms, body image, and associated
psychological constructs.
What did they find:
Yoga has a small-to-moderate effect on reducing global eating disorder psychopathology.
Binge eating and bulimia: A moderate-to-large effect was observed in reducing symptoms
related to binge eating and bulimia.
Body image concerns: There was a small positive effect on improving body image concerns.
Dietary restraint: No significant effect was found regarding dietary restraint behaviors.
Overall, yoga-based interventions were effective in addressing several ED-related constructs,
although their impact on specific areas like dietary restraint remained unclear
