If you have experienced an eating disorder yourself, supported someone with an eating disorder, or worked in eating disorders professionally there will be opportunities for you to take part in research.
By doing so you can help researchers continue to learn more about these complex mental illnesses. If you are interested in participating in research, you can check this page regularly or follow us on social media to find out when new studies are added.
Please note: These studies are led by external researchers and not by Beat.
Some people can find participating in research to be a triggering experience. If you are at all concerned about this, please make sure to read each study's information sheet carefully and to get in contact with the researcher to ask them any questions you might have about participation.
You might also like to to discuss any concerns with others close to you and/or a healthcare professional if you are currently receiving treatment, before deciding whether to take part. Your health and well being should be the top priority.
27 October 2026
Researchers are looking to recruit autistic young people (aged between 16-20 years) and parents/carers to join a PPIE group.
Researchers are looking for participants who have either ARFID, Anorexia, or no eating disorder, to complete an online survey
Researchers are looking for adults with lived experience of ARFID to take part in an online survey
Researchers are looking for women, aged 16+, with or without experience of anorexia and/or autism, to take part in research
1 October 2026
The UKRI invites people with lived experience of severe mental illness, and those who care for someone, to influence research
Researchers are exploring how primary teachers understand and support eating challenges in schools
Researchers exploring experiences of gay and bisexual men with eating disorders and autism to improve television representation
3 September 2026
Researchers are recruiting people with lived experience and professionals for a study on eating disorders and pregnancy.
27 August 2026
Researchers are recruiting to better understand the association between ADHD and bulimia nervosa in women aged 16+
27 July 2021
21 April 2026
Researchers are recruiting women aged 18-30 with anorexia nervosa to take part in an in-person eye-tracking study
The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative (EDGI) UK is the UK’s largest ever genetic research project into eating disorders. The aim is to collect the psychological, medical, and genetic information of 10,000 people with experience of any eating disorder. This will help us to better understand the role our genes and environment play on the development and treatment of these illnesses. EDGI is part of an international collaboration, with many countries coming together as part of the same initiative.
Read more
Our best estimate is that about 3.5 million children, young people and adults in the UK are living with an eating disorder.
Read more.