June 2, 2025
World Eating Disorders Action Day (June 2) is dedicated to raising global awareness about eating disorders and advocating for better understanding, support, and treatment.
In Quebec, it is estimated that approximately 250,000 people have an eating disorder. There are different types of eating disorders. The most well-known ones are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Another recognized condition is avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), which involves restrictive eating that is not driven by concerns about body image. The most common diagnosis is other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED). Individuals with OSFED experience significant symptoms of an eating disorder but do not meet the full criteria for the other specific categories.
Despite their differences, most eating disorders share a common feature: a preoccupation with food, body shape, or weight that interferes with daily life and well-being.
The Eating Disorders Continuum (EDC) at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute is Quebec’s only large-scale program offering outpatient, day, and inpatient services for adults and older adolescents with eating disorders.
The EDC integrates clinical care with cutting-edge research into the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to eating disorders.
Research themes include:
- Brain, genetic, and epigenetic mechanisms
- Predictors of treatment response
- Development of virtual interventions
- Effectiveness of knowledge transfer initiatives
A key research project at the EDC is ANIMATE (Anorexia Nervosa IMaging study in Adults and TEens), a national neuroimaging study on brain development and recovery in anorexia nervosa. The study is led by Dr. Linda Booij, Head of Research and Academic Development at the EDC and Professor at McGill University. The project is in collaboration with various eating-disorder programs across Canada.
The EDC also aims to build capacity in eating-disorder services across Quebec by training healthcare professionals through the ECHO telementoring program for eating disorders (ECHO-TA) and by providing targeted training and supervision at CIUSSS and CISSS sites. Through its research, outreach, and training efforts, the EDC aims to foster greater awareness and understanding of eating disorders, reduce stigma, and improve care for those affected.
“Eating disorders are mental health conditions marked by harmful behaviours and distorted beliefs related to eating, weight, and body image. They affect people of all genders, ages, body sizes, and socioeconomic backgrounds—across countries and cultures. ” — Dr. Linda Booij
Highlighted recent publications
Dufour, R., Steiger, H., & Booij, L. (2025). Examining dimensionality and item‐quality of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire in individuals with eating disorders using item response theory analysis. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 58(2), 349-361.
Steiger, H., Casey, K. F., Burdo, J., Marcil, V., Harvison, M., Meyerfreund, J., … & Booij, L. (2025). Elevated plasma B12 and betaine levels in women with anorexia nervosa: possible role in illness pathophysiology and epigenetic regulation. Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 50(2), E85-E91.
Breton, E., Khundrakpam, B., Jeon., S., Evans, A. & Booij. L. (2024). Cortical thickness and childhood eating behaviors: differences according to sex and age and relevance for eating disorders. Eating and Weight Behaviors, 29(1):47.
Kirkpatrick, R.H., Breton, E., Biorac, A., Munoz, D., & Booij, L. (2024). Non-suicidal self-injury among individuals with an eating disorder: A systematic review and prevalence meta-analysis. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 57(2):223–248.