New guidelines launched to tackle eating disorder loneliness
New guidelines designed to address the loneliness and disconnection often experienced by individuals with eating disorders have been published.
Developed by the Groups, Identities and Health research group at Nottingham Trent University, in collaboration with leading organisations including Bodywhys – The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland, First Steps ED, and Beat, the initiative draws on the insights of people with lived experience of recovery and those who support them.
The evidence-based resource translates research on social identity, belonging and recovery into clear principles and practical steps designed for healthcare professionals, peer-support workers and charities working alongside people in recovery.
Social connection is a critical but frequently overlooked part of sustained recovery. Studies show that loneliness is common among people living with an eating disorder and is linked to greater symptom severity and risk of relapse. Recovery often involves rebuilding meaningful relationships and reconnecting with valued group identities beyond the illness.
Dr Niamh McNamara, lead researcher and Associate Professor in Social Psychology at NTU’s School of Social Sciences, said: “Eating disorder recovery is complex, personal and deeply social – but it’s not a solo journey. Building connections and discovering or rediscovering an identity beyond the illness is an important part of recovery and longer-term health and wellbeing.”
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends assessing social environments and needs in treatment, but in practice these factors are often handled informally and inconsistently.
The new resource fills that gap by providing evidence-based principles and strategies to integrate belonging and rebuilding identity into treatment, complementing existing therapies and strengthening recovery pathways.
The guidance outlines how teams can support gradual social engagement, involve families appropriately in treatment, facilitate peer support, and help people navigate online communities safely.
Dr McNamara added: “This resource complements clinical interventions by providing an actionable framework for socially informed care across NHS and third sector services, including clinicians, occupational therapists, peer support workers and voluntary organisations supporting recovery.”
Find out more and download the guidelines.
If you need support with an eating disorder, contact FirstSteps ED, Beat, or Bodywhys – The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland.
Notes for editors
About Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) has been named UK ‘University of the Year’ five times in six years, (Times Higher Education Awards 2017, The Guardian University Awards 2019, The Times and Sunday Times 2018 and 2023, Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023) and is consistently one of the top performing modern universities in the UK.
Students have voted us the best university in the UK and 1st in the UK for student employability (Uni Compare 2025).
NTU is 4th in the UK for number of undergraduate students (HESA 2023-24) with over 36,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across six campuses. It has an international student population of 6,000 and an NTU community representing over 160 countries.
NTU owns two Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for outstanding achievements in research (2015, 2021). The first recognises NTU’s research on the safety and security of global citizens. The second was awarded for research in science, engineering, arts and humanities to investigate and restore cultural objects, buildings and heritage. The Research Excellence Framework (2021) classed 83% of NTU’s research activity as either world-leading or internationally excellent.
NTU was awarded GOLD in the national 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) assessment.
NTU is a top 10 for sport (British Universities and Colleges Sport league table 2025) and was named as Sports University of the Year (Daily Mail University Guide 2025). It has also been ranked as 25th in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2026.
NTU is a holder of the University Mental Health Charter recognising the commitment an institution has shown towards continuous improvement in the area of mental health and wellbeing.
NTU is the most environmentally sustainable university in the UK and second in the world (UI Green Metric University World Rankings, 2024).