June 2025 Issue

In this June 2025 Issue

Message from the President | International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED) 2025 Recap | An Update from the Nordic Eating Disorder Society| New AED Members | Update Your Member Profile

Greetings, colleagues!

Thank you for taking the time to read this—my first Message From the President. I would like to begin my tenure as President of the AED by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for the trust you have placed in me. I am deeply honored and humbled to serve the AED in this distinguished role.

The Academy represents an extraordinary community of experts who are working to battle eating disorders worldwide. We serve the field through research, clinical practice, prevention, and advocacy, striving to improve the lives of those affected.

There are many important initiatives currently underway: the AED Training & Certificate Program, which offers a fantastic opportunity for the global community to access eating disorder-directed training at the highest level, the final implementation of our new Chapter structure, the completion of the great AED Global Survey (click here if you haven't participated yet), ongoing planning for upcoming International Conferences on Eating Disorders, advocacy in the eating disorder field, ongoing operation of the AED including committee meetings in various AED committees, and so much more. All activities which have the common purpose of working for the mission of the AED - to advance eating disorder prevention, education, treatment, and research by expanding the global community of committed professionals.

We are now in the fourth year of our Strategic Plan. The first three years of the Strategic Plan have brought many achievements, and I intend to continue building on this progress. Our key goals remain clear: enhancing the value of membership; cultivating a diverse and global community of professionals; and creating a sustainable financial model. These priorities will guide my work and that of the boards in the year ahead. At the same time, I will initiate the early reflections and steps towards shaping a new Strategic Plan to take effect once the current one concludes after its fifth year. Another priority during my presidency will be to modernize and improve our website, ensuring that it reflects the quality and scope of our work.

I want to take this opportunity to express my deep appreciation for the support and collaboration of the (now) immediate past president, Unna Danner, and past president, Kelly Bhatnagar. It has been a privilege to serve alongside you in the presidential trio over the past year. I am also sincerely grateful to the many talented and insightful members of our Board of Directors, past and present, from whom I have learned so much. Lastly, my thanks go to the AED management team at Virtual, Inc., and especially to all committee members whose dedication and energy keep this organization thriving.

Together, I know we can accomplish something truly meaningful and make a real difference in the lives of individuals around the world who are affected—either directly or indirectly—by an eating disorder. I look forward to all the work ahead in the coming AED year and to serving you in this role. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I would be happy to hear from you.

Gry Kjærsdam Telléus

The Academy for Eating Disorders’ International Conference on Eating Disorders (ICED) 2025 was held in San Antonio, Texas, between May 28th and 30th. The conference was focused on the topic, "Brave New World: Leveraging Technology, Applied Science, and Innovative Practice to Advance the Field," with the participation of hundreds of clinicians, researchers, and experts from diverse disciplines.

The scientific program, co-chaired by April Smith and Luz Scappatura, included a wide range of sessions on key topics like the neurobiology of eating disorders, eating disorders in men, and the integration of new technologies in treatment. Throughout the conference, there was an emphasis on finding a way for a more integrated and unified model of care.

The conference featured not only keynote speakers and panel discussions, but also an in-depth research presentation program; pre-conference workshops on research training and clinical teaching; and a poster session. These gave clinicians, students, and young professionals the chance to learn about many different topics in the field. These workshops ranged from maximizing patient engagement to implementing culturally responsive practice into treatment. The setting was interactive and supportive in all sessions.

The choice of San Antonio as a host city was excellent! The colorful Mexican history and cultural heritage of the city gave a warm, welcoming setting where international delegates and Latin American professionals could feel at home. One of the highlights of ICED 2025 was the leadership change at the AED. Outgoing president Unna Danner passed the baton to Gry Kjaersdam-Telléus. The Academy’s continued dedication to international representation and diversity in leadership is embodied by the AED’s new president. The outgoing president expressed her joy at the growth of the organization and spoke with enormous hope for its future.

The conference also provided a thrilling platform for member interaction. On the first day of the conference, during the welcome reception, AED committees encouraged guests to seek out possibilities for volunteering and collaboration. It was an event that welcomed members across all professions to come together to plan for the future of their profession. A huge thank you to all sponsors and collaborators whose kindness made ICED 2025 happen. Briefly, ICED 2025 in San Antonio was a great success: a motivating combination of innovation, education, and community.

An Update from the Nordic Eating Disorder Society
By Sanna Aila Gustafsson

The Nordic Eating Disorder Society (NEDS) is an interest organization for clinicians and researchers in the Nordic countries. The Society’s main purpose is to serve as a forum for new contacts and exchange of experiences among eating disorder professionals in the Nordic countries. We strive to increase collaboration between the Nordic countries, both in research and in clinical settings.

The five Nordic countries are all relatively small, and healthcare is organized differently in each country. Additionally, each country is divided into regions, which often have responsibility for how care and services are organized. Therefore, there is a significant variation both between and within countries in terms of accessibility to care and in the range of treatments offered. There is also variation in the level of knowledge about different treatments for various diagnostic groups, such as avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.

One of NEDS' prioritized goals is to advocate for more equitable and accessible care for the patient group. This can, for example, be achieved through joint conferences, seminars, and training sessions. One way that this is achieved is through our biannual eating disorder conferences where researchers and clinicians from all Nordic countries meet. The last conference was held in Copenhagen in September 2024. The theme of the conference was "Searching for Evidence." The next conference will be the 15th Nordic Congress on Eating Disorders, and it will take place in Västerås, Sweden, from September 9 to 11, 2026. The theme of the conference will be "Narrowing the Gap Between Research and Clinical Care." The board is currently working on the program.

We also arrange Nordic digital seminars on relevant topics twice a year. The next seminar will be hosted by the Icelandic board on the Eating Disorder Action Day. The topic will be "Higher Weight and Eating Disorders in a Weight Loss Environment: Weight Management, Medications, and Gastric Surgeries."

Another way to achieve more research-informed and equitable care is through organizing joint training sessions and implementation support regarding new treatment methods. A couple of examples include Temperament-Based Therapy with Supports, and as of now, planning is underway for training and implementation support concerning Physical Exercise and Dietary Therapy.

The Nordic cooperation within NEDS can be organized via Nordic Interest Groups (NIG). A NIG can be formed under NEDS' auspices and seek funding from NEDS to arrange webinars open to all NEDS members. Currently, NEDS has three NIG groups: SIGMA (for issues regarding eating disorders and pregnancy); Multi-family Therapy; and Eating Disorders, Sports, and Exercise.

Best regards,

Sanna Aila Gustafsson

Chair of the Nordic Eating Disorder Society