Research

At Beat we recognise the importance of research in achieving our ultimate goal – to beat eating disorders. For us, research represents understanding and knowledge, which are essential tools in our fight against these serious illnesses. To do our part in moving understanding forward, Beat actively supports and encourages research into eating disorders.

Participating in Research

To view some of the eating disorders research we are currently supporting, or to take part in this research yourself, please click here. You can also join our research database if you are interested in receiving email updates about future research opportunities. You can join if you have experience of an eating disorder, either as a sufferer, carer, or professional.

If you are conducting research at a post-graduate level or above, you could advertise for participants on our website and via our database of contacts. Please click here to find out what we require from researchers before we can support their projects. We are also available on a consultancy basis if your research would benefit from our expertise, including that of our young recovering volunteers.

Beat’s Research

New! - Help us improve our website

We want to ensure that our website works really well for you, and that you're getting the best out of it you can.

It would be really helpful if you would be able to fill in our survey and let us know anything that you dislike (along with things you really like) to enable us to put some of your points into action. Please click here to complete the survey.

Northern England Self Help and Support Groups Survey

We are conducting this survey to help us understand the type of support required in certain geographical locations in the North of England. If you feel you would like to access local support then please take a few moments to fill out this survey. All responses will be kept anonymous and in confidence. This survey will be hosted on our website until the end of April.

Please click here to complete the survey.

Chaperoning of adolescent patients with eating disorders

Currently policies on the use of chaperones to accompany adolescent patients when they are weighed, have blood pressure measured and/or physically examined differ considerably between institutions. We are interested to hear your views on what these policies should look like. The findings of this survey will contribute to a review of such policies. Please click here to complete the quick survey.

Psychological therapies for Anorexia Nervosa: What works for whom, and does patient choice matter?

Beat is coordinating an exciting research project, in collaboration with Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust investigating the treatment of adults with Anorexia Nervosa. It will develop the evidence-base for treatments by comparing the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT). It will also investigate the influence of patient choice and include sufferers at lower weights than in many previous studies.

This is a five year project, funded by the Big Lottery Fund and is due to end in 2015. After completion Beat will publicise the findings through various channels including the media, our website, academic journals and conferences.

If you are a professional and would like more information about this (and other Beat research) projects and to be kept up to date, you should register as a Beat Professional Network member. To find out more information and how to complete an application, please click here.