Hello AED community,

I hope you are all enjoying a safe and healthy start to 2026. We are starting to look forward to the next time our global community will gather at the annual International Conference on Eating Disorders in The Hague, the Netherlands, from June 3-5, 2026. If you have not done so already, I encourage you to take some time to look over the offerings at this year’s conference, as well as a curated list of recommendations if you’re coming to The Hague for the first time and are looking to explore the area. I hope to see many of you there.

In this March issue of the newsletter, you will find representation from sectors across the Academy, representing our wide-spanning efforts, both geographically and professionally. The Research and Practice Committee provides updates on exciting upcoming initiatives as they continue to further their aim of bridging the gap between research and practice in the field of eating disorders. A new special interest group, Jewish Communities, gives an overview of the important work they are doing to provide education around culturally competent care for Jewish clients. The Argentina partner of the AED describes their longstanding collaboration with the Academy, and what members can look forward to in the future. And finally, our book reviewer covers an exciting new publication examining the tension between and overlap of the eating disorders and obesity treatment fields.

I hope you continue to find the newsletter to be a resource for engagement and connection to our global community. As always, please feel free to reach out to me directly with any questions or suggestions.

Wishing you all a very happy spring!

Sincerely,

Andie Chilson

AED Newsletter Editor

The Research Practice Committee (RPC) remains committed to bridging the gap between eating disorder research and clinical practice. Through our various sub-committees, we continue to support the Educational Programming Committee, the annual Clinical and Research Teaching Day, and the International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED) Global Think Tank, among other activities. 

We’ve spent the past year engaging in activities related to these goals, including a few highlights: 

• Website Refresh: We’ve developed a suite of new resources designed to help members integrate research into their daily practice. These will go live with the launch of the new AED website!
• ICED 2026 Planning: We have finalized the selection of sessions for the Clinical and Research Teaching Day in The Hague, Netherlands. We are excited to see you at this pre-conference half-day of learning in June. 

The 2026 Global Think Tank: Adapting EBTs

Our primary focus for the coming months is the Global Think Tank. This year’s theme explores how evidence-based treatments (EBT) and prevention programs for eating disorders can be effectively adapted to meet the cultural identities and lived experiences of diverse individuals.

We are grounding this discussion in the Evidence-Based Practice "Three-Legged Stool" model, emphasizing that high-quality care requires a balance of three critical components:

1. Best Available Research: Utilizing data-driven protocols.
2. Clinical Expertise: The practitioner's skill and experience.
3. Patient Values & Identities: Adapting manualized treatments to honor the unique background and identity of the individual.

The Format: Following the successful 2025 format, the Think Tank will feature a group of speakers from diverse backgrounds. Each will provide a brief overview of their work, followed by a moderated interactive conversation. Audience members will be able to submit questions in real-time via the conference app. 

Kristen Anderson
RPC Committee Co-Chair

Helena Lewis-Smith
RPC Committee Co-Chair

Ways to Get Involved

Your voice is vital to our continued support of the Academy for Eating Disorders. Here is how you can connect with us:

• Share Your Ideas: Reach out to Kristen Anderson or Helena Lewis-Smith via email or the AED portal with suggestions or feedback.
• Join the Committee: We will be issuing a call for new committee members prior to ICED 2026. Keep an eye on your inbox!

We’re grateful to the RPC Committee members: Sarah Altman, Althea Bardin, Wesley Barnhart, Kayla Costello, Seena Grewal, Melinda Parisi Cummings, Jessica Van Huysse, and Samantha Withnell, as well as Jennifer Wildes, the Board Liaison for our committee.

The goal of the Eating Disorders in Jewish Communities Special Interest Group (EDJC-SIG) is to provide a space for Jewish and non-Jewish eating disorder professionals to collaborate on providing the most effective and efficient care for Jewish clients on their road to recovery and beyond. The EDJC SIG includes representatives from different stages in their clinical career, different levels of Jewish observance, as well as observance of different faiths.

>>>Read more

Argentina has been an active participant in the Partners, Chapters and Affiliates Committee (PCAC) of the AED since 2008. This longstanding involvement reflects a continuous commitment to international collaboration, academic exchange, and the advancement of knowledge in the field of eating disorders. The Asociación Argentina de Psiquiatras (AAP) is honored to be recognized as a sister society of the Academy, strengthening professional and scientific ties between Argentina and the global AED community.

The Asociación Argentina de Psiquiatras is the leading academic psychiatric organization in Argentina, bringing together approximately 2,400 affiliated professionals. It develops extensive academic, teaching, and research activities at both national and international levels, serving as a central reference for psychiatric training and scientific development in the country.

Sebastián Soneira (shown left), a psychiatrist specializing in eating disorders and obesity and an AED member since 2008, currently serves as the representative of the AAP to the PCAC. Since joining the Academy, he has maintained sustained involvement within this committee, serving in different roles over the years, from member to president of the PCAC. This trajectory reflects Argentina’s consistent and active engagement within the collaborative structure of the AED.

>>>Read more

As a clinician, researcher, and advocate working at the intersection of eating disorder care and weight management, I felt that the authors did an exceptional job honoring and advocating for both perspectives while thoughtfully acknowledging areas of tension and growth within each field. Early in the book, the authors share their own personal accounts of negative weight- or eating-related experiences, communicating understanding and empathy. They then provide a helpful background outlining how the fields of eating disorder and obesity medicine diverged over time.

While healthy debate is important for furthering clinical practice and research, a dialectical approach—one that acknowledges shared goals and common ground—is equally necessary for the welfare of the individuals we serve. Some dialectics I took away from the book, through my own interpretation, are that weight loss can be both life-threatening and lifesaving; it is possible to support weight loss efforts and challenge weight stigma at the same time; and individuals can both want to recover from an eating disorder and address obesity.

>>>Read more

We are pleased to welcome 31 new members from around the world in February 2026. See the list of new members here.



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Reserve your spot for ICED 2026. This year’s theme, “Connecting Cultures in Eating Disorders Research and Practice,” sets the stage for a truly global experience. Together, we’ll explore groundbreaking research, deepen clinical expertise, exchange innovative ideas, and strengthen the international community that drives our field forward.

For information about becoming a sponsor or exhibitor,

please email Eileen.

Thank You to Our ICED 2026 Sponsors & Partners!

Silver Sponsors

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Annual Partners

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