The Butterfly Research Institute
Eating disorders and negative body image are major concerns within our community. Eating disorders are recoverable, however due to the paucity of research and investments in clinical services, the circumstances that ensure recovery are poorly understood. There is no well-defined cure or successful preventative treatment although there are a number of treatments early in development that urgently require research to confirm their efficacy. A vital key to finding the answers for those suffering from negative body image and eating disorders is in the funding of a research initiative that is directly linked to these services.
The Butterfly Foundation has raised this need with philanthropy and the Federal Government. The Myer Foundation funded us to do a scoping study into clinical and research needs for eating disorders, and through The Myer Foundation and the Sidney Myer Trust 2009 Commemorative Grants Program $1.3 million was granted.
With the $1.3 million we lobbied the Federal Government to address the urgent need for research in eating disorders. The result was the announcement of $500,000 toward the development of a national framework through a national collaboration. The Butterfly Research Institute’s aim to bring together all researchers and clinicians in Australian to work together has been realised through the successful leadership of this collaboration by Butterfly. The Federal Government announced a further $3.3 million would go towards this initiative over three years and Butterfly successfully won the tender for this.
This Sidney Myer Fund and Myer Foundation 2009 commemorative grant has enabled the first significant research initiative in eating disorders in Australia and it has already had a huge impact on the eating disorder field.
The Myer Foundation expressed their sentiment toward our partnership in the following way - "This 2009 Commemorative Grant represents a partnership with The Butterfly Foundation with whom we feel privileged to be associated. The Butterfly Foundation's research initiative has been chosen because it will have an enduring and positive impact on Australian communities. It celebrates the significant milestones of the Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation. We hope that the legacy of The Butterfly Foundation will extend for generations to come."
We express our gratitude to all of the researchers and clinicians who have committed to seeing this large initiative become a reality. In particular we thank The Myer Foundation for their generous support.
Grant Round 2009
PhD Top-Up Scholarships
As part of the initial stages of our commitment to research, 6 PhD top up scholarships were awarded in 2009 to 6 outstanding students conducting research in eating disorders. We wish them all the best with their studies. For more information on each of their projects please see below.
Phillipa Diedrichs
University of Queensland
An ecological approach to promoting positive body image: Average size models in the media
It is well established that exposure to images of unrealistic, airbrushed, ultra-thin and ultra-muscular models in the mass media is a risk factor for poor body image and disorders of eating and exercising among both women and men. Recently, politicians, researchers and policy makers have suggested that promoting body size diversity in media imagery may promote positive body image. The media, fashion and advertising industries, however, often argue that thinness and muscularity is necessary to sell products and to appeal to consumers. Furthermore, little research has explored whether or not viewing more average size models can result in positive body image. Therefore the aim of my PhD research was to examine the impact of more realistically sized models in the media as a way of promoting positive body image. Specifically, I examined whether or not young women and men feel better about their own bodies after viewing advertisements featuring average-size models, and whether average-size models are appealing to consumers in terms of advertisement effectiveness.
The results of my research suggest that viewing average-size male and female fashion models is associated with positive body image for men and women. Also, in contrast to industry concerns, average-size models are perceived to be just as effective in advertisements as ultra-thin and ultra-muscular fashion models. Overall, the findings of my PhD research contribute to a growing evidence base for the health and advertising benefits of using average-size models in advertisements. Furthermore, they provide support for calls for increased size diversity in media imagery.
Ertimiss Eshkevari
Australian National University
Awareness of the physical body in individuals with an eating disorder
This research focuses on how the experience of one’s physical body may be disturbed in individuals with an eating disorder. A theoretical model, focused on understanding the sense and awareness of one’s body among individuals with an eating disorder, has been developed as the first part of this PhD research. It proposes that clinical, social and neuropsychological factors are involved in maintaining a disturbed perception and experience of the body in people with eating disorders. This research examining body awareness is currently being carried out involving people experiencing an eating disorder, people who have recovered from an eating disorder, as well as people with no eating disorder.
It is hoped that the findings could be used to further advance current therapeutic approaches for body disturbance, for example, by addressing the hypothesised disturbed sense and awareness of the physical bodily self as part of treatment in eating disorders.
Laura Hart
The University of Melbourne
Mental health first aid for eating disorders: Development of first aid guidelines and an intervention for the public
This research aims to develop guidelines for providing first aid to someone who is developing or experiencing an eating disorder. From these guidelines, a training program will be developed to teach young adults, who are in contact with people at risk of developing an eating disorder, how to provide first aid for eating disorders. The research will involve three phases: 1. Development of a guideline document; 2. Evaluation of the guideline document using the internet; 3. Development and evaluation of a mental health first aid training package for eating disorders.
Amy Lampard
University of Western Australia
The maintenance of pathological weight and shape control behaviours
It has been proposed that all eating disorders (including bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and eating disorders not otherwise specified) are maintained by the same psychosocial factors. Specifically, this “transdiagnostic model” suggests that low self esteem, demanding personal standards, difficulties tolerating mood, and interpersonal problems interact with concerns about weight and shape and dieting to maintain eating disorders. The transdiagnostic model has been used to inform the development of treatments for eating disorders, but has yet to be evaluated in its entirety.
This research aims to evaluate how well the model predicts eating disordered behaviour amongst young adults in the community, and to explore if the model can account for the behaviour observed in all eating disorder diagnoses (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and eating disorders not otherwise specified).
Stephanie Romagnano
RMIT University & the Centre for Adolescent Health at the Royal Children’s Hospital
Understanding the nature of eating disorders: Typologies and cognitive schemas
To improve early interventions for eating disorders (EDs), it is crucial to enhance the current theories of the development and maintenance of EDs by examining factors that are not directly related to eating and weight. Limited literature has utilised factors, other than those relating to ED diagnostic criteria, to profile individuals with EDs. A more comprehensive picture is required to enhance the understanding of EDs by highlighting the other possible factors that may assist in establishing typologies of individuals. The development of a profile of demographic, psychological, and medical variables for ED patients and the mapping of the natural course of those with EDs, as well as determining the characteristics of ED patients with different help-seeking behaviours, is likely to assist clinicians in the treatment and management of ED clients by allowing them to identify which clients are likely to respond better to treatment and which clients are at risk of not continuing with treatment for their ED. Thus, Study 1 aims to investigate whether a group of adolescent females presenting at an ED clinic can be grouped into clinically meaningful typologies based on a range of variables, and whether differences exist in the weight restoration and treatment avenues of these clustered subtypes. Additionally, to further understand the development and maintenance of EDs, recent research has turned to cognitive theories of EDs, which surround the role of core beliefs and schemas. Differentiating which maladaptive schemas may be present in adolescent females with an ED and the general population, may assist in the development of a common schema profile for adolescent females with an ED, which may have implications for the intervention of EDs. Thus, Study 2 aims to ascertain the most common EMSs of adolescents who are seeking treatment for a diagnosed ED, compared to the common EMSs of control participants.
Carla Welsh
Flinders University
Investigating the effectiveness of combined obesity and disordered eating prevention program in primary school children
The aim of my research is to investigate the effectiveness of a prevention program, targeting the shared risk factors for both obesity and disordered eating in primary school children. In an attempt to reduce childhood obesity schools are increasingly incorporating nutrition and healthy living components into their curriculum. One concern with regards to this is that these components do not account for body image issues. While research does suggest that such interventions can increase established risk factors for eating pathology including greater dieting intentions, perceived pressure to lose weight, thin-ideal internalisation (Roehrig et al, 2008), the negative health consequences of obesity prevention with respect to disordered eating behaviours remain largely unknown. One possible way to overcome this issue is to target risk factors shared by obesity and disordered eating, for example self-esteem, media literacy, dieting and weight related teasing, thus incorporating early prevention efforts into the one program.
In order to assess the efficacy of the prevention program compared to the regular health curriculum in schools two studies will be conducted. Study 1 will be exploratory and designed to test what age groups to target in Study 2. Study 1 will pilot test self-esteem, media literacy and body change in puberty lessons (8 lessons in total) to determine if any changes need to be made to the program and also to assess what age group (grade 4, 5 or 6) will be the most effective to target in study 2. The self-esteem, media literacy and body change in puberty lessons have been adapted from O’Dea (2007) and lessons evaluated previously with Grade 8 students in Wilksch, Tiggemann & Wade (2006). In Study 2 the revised lessons from Study 1 will be implemented and compared to the regular health curriculum in schools.
The Butterfly Research Institute
Eating disorders and negative body image are major concerns within our community. A vital key to finding the answers for those suffering from negative body image and eating disorders is in the funding of a research initiative that is directly linked to better understanding of the etiology, prevention and treatment of eating disorders. The Butterfly Research Institute will bring together all of the leading researchers in the field in Australia.
Major areas of interest include: -
• PhD top up scholarships to draw new people into research and clinical practice on eating disorders and to grow the human capital that is committed to studying and improving outcomes in this field.
• Provision of grants for collaborative research projects bringing together groups of researchers from fields such as sociology, psychology, bench science, epidemiology, genetics, epigenetics, obesity and MRI imaging with those researchers and clinicians working with eating disorders and body image research.
We express our gratitude to all of the researchers and clinicians who have committed to seeing this large initiative become a reality. In particular we thank The Myer Foundation for their generous support. We are delighted to be partnering with them as they are with us - "This 2009 Commemorative Grant represents a partnership with The Butterfly Foundation with whom we feel privileged to be associated. The Butterfly Foundation's research initiative has been chosen because it will have an enduring and positive impact on Australian communities. It celebrates the significant milestones of the Sidney Myer Fund and The Myer Foundation. We hope that the legacy of The Butterfly Foundation will extend for generations to come."
Grant Round 2010
The Butterfly Research Institute was established in 2008 to take a leading role in determining the future direction of research in the field of eating disorders and body image within Australia. The BRI is a research institute ‘without walls’ and recognises the need to support interdisciplinary, basic, applied and community research. It will connect research in an integrated and effective way to clinical services throughout Australia, so that research is directly translated into outcomes for patients and clinical work is not lost to research.
The Butterfly Research Institute places value on
• collaboration between researchers, clinical treatment and the lived experience
• research outside traditional fields of eating disorder research
• encouraging new people into the field of eating disorders
• multi disciplinary research
Grants available
The BRI is now calling for applications for research grants for 2010.
PhD Top Up Scholarships
These scholarships are designed to attract excellent people into the field, or support those already researching in the field. In 2010 there are 3 PhD top up scholarships available for full time PhD students. Each scholarship is worth $30 000 over 3 years. Each year $5000 will be awarded directly to the student, and $5000 will be given to the host University for research and travel related expenses.
Please download the following documents
- BRI _ Guidelines for Grant Submissions
- Grant Application form _ Research Scholarships
Closing date for applications: WEDNESDAY JUNE 16
NB: you are able to apply for both a PhD Scholarship and PhD Top Up Scholarship simultaneously using the one application form.
PhD Scholarship
This scholarship will be awarded to an exceptional PhD student who is conducting their research in the field of eating disorders. In 2010 there is 1 full scholarship available for a full time PhD student worth $90 000 over 3 years. Each year $30 000 will be awarded directly to the student and $10 000 will be given to the host University for research and travel related expenses.
Please download the following documents
- BRI _ Guidelines for Grant Submissions
- Grant Application form _ Research Scholarships
Closing date for applications: WEDNESDAY JUNE 16
NB: you are able to apply for both a PhD Scholarship and PhD Top Up Scholarship simultaneously using the one application form.
Collaborative Research Projects
3 collaborative research grants will be awarded in 2010 to groups conducting research in the field. There will be a total amount of $600 000 available for Collaborative Project Grants in 2010 and 2011. Each grant is worth $200 000 over 2 years.
Grants will be awarded to research projects in the following areas
1. Prevention & Promotion
2. Identification & Early Intervention
3. Treatment Standards & Strategies
Please download the following documents
- BRI _ Guidelines for Grant Submissions
- Grant Application form _ Collaborative Projects
Closing date for applications: WEDNESDAY JUNE 16
GENERAL NOTES
- Researchers should provide evidence that their project design and proposed methodology will be able to address the aims of the research.
- The principal investigator and project must be Australian based however international collaborations are welcome.
- All applications and questions should be directed to research@thebutterflyfoundation.org.au
- If you would like to speak with someone about your application please call (02) 9412 4499.
We look forward to receiving your applications.
Support for Research
In 2009 The Butterfly Foundation, through the generosity of a private donor, donated $60 000 to the international trial on longstanding anorexia nervosa.
This trial was lead By Professor Stephen Touyz and Professor Phillipa Hay in Sydney, Associate Professor Daniel le Grange in Chicago and Professor Hubert Lacey in London.
This was the world’s first trial of psychological treatments for patients with longstanding anorexia nervosa, and the outcomes, expected to be released in 2011, will have a large impact on the treatment and management of longstanding anorexia nervosa worldwide. The Butterfly Foundation is proud to have been able to support this important trial.