- Open access · CC BY 4.0
- Published by Open Access Pub
Aims and Scope
The International Journal of Eating and Weight Disorders publishes peer-reviewed research on eating disorders, obesity and other weight disorders, across clinical, psychological, nutritional, biological and population research.
Research on how people eat and on the care of eating and weight disorders
IJWD publishes research on all aspects of eating and weight disorders, including their epidemiology, nature, determinants, neurobiology, prevention, treatment and outcomes. It welcomes work that studies these conditions in people of every age, in clinical and non-clinical populations, and in settings from the laboratory to the community.
The journal aims to publish methodologically sound research that informs clinical practice, prevention and policy, and to make the results freely available to everyone who can use them.
Research the journal welcomes
IJWD considers work that addresses eating disorders, obesity or other weight disorders, whether the approach is clinical, psychological, nutritional, biological or population-based. The areas below illustrate the range of work and do not limit it.
Eating disorders
Including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, subthreshold eating disorders and atypical patterns of eating behavior.
Weight and obesity
Including obesity, overnutrition, undernutrition and body-weight regulation in clinical and non-clinical populations.
Determinants and epidemiology
Including causes, body image and the epidemiology of eating and weight disorders.
Neurobiology and appetite
Including appetite, psychosocial and neurobiological factors, and co-morbidities.
Prevention, treatment and outcomes
Including prevention of eating disorders and obesity, treatment (including obesity surgery) and outcomes.
- Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder
- Avoidant or restrictive food intake and other feeding and eating disorders
- Subthreshold and atypical eating behavior
- Body image and body dissatisfaction
- Obesity and overweight across the life course
- Overnutrition and undernutrition
- Appetite, energy balance and body-weight regulation
- Neurobiology, genetics and psychophysiology of eating
- Epidemiology and social, cultural and digital determinants
- Psychiatric and medical co-morbidities
- Prevention programs and public-health interventions
- Psychological, pharmacological, nutritional and surgical treatment and outcomes
Contributions from many fields
Interdisciplinary work is welcome.
Eating and weight disorders are studied across disciplines. IJWD welcomes contributions from psychiatry, clinical and health psychology, nutrition and dietetics, endocrinology and metabolism, neuroscience, exercise science, epidemiology, biostatistics and public health, as well as qualitative and mixed-methods research.
The journal considers laboratory, clinical, observational, intervention, evidence-synthesis and methodological studies when they bear on eating or weight disorders. Participants are described with respectful, non-stigmatizing language.
Every manuscript is assessed for scope, scholarly quality, methodological rigor, ethical compliance, and research integrity. Where a manuscript sits at the edge of the scope, the editors decide whether it is a fit; authors may ask the editorial office in advance.
Article types
The journal publishes the types listed here. Requirements for each type are in the Instructions for Authors.
- Original Research
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Review
- Short Communication
- Methods or Protocol
- Case Report
- Commentary
- Letter to the Editor
How manuscripts are assessed
All submissions undergo initial editorial screening. Manuscripts that meet the journal's scope and minimum requirements proceed to independent peer review.
Single-blind by default; double-blind review is available on request. Manuscripts that proceed to external peer review are normally evaluated by at least two independent subject-matter experts.
Editorial decisions are based on scope, scientific quality, methodological rigor, ethical compliance, reporting quality, and relevance to the journal. Decisions are independent of the article processing charge and of any membership. See the Editorial Policies.
Submit your research to IJWD
IJWD welcomes submissions throughout the year. Read the Instructions for Authors, then submit through one of the approved routes.