From illusions to interventions: An exploration of eating disorders with Isabel Krug and Jade Portingale

“Food is an inescapable part of our daily lives, yet so many people – both men and women of all ages – struggle with body image concerns and disordered eating,” remarks Associate Professor Isabel Krug. “Despite its high prevalence, the research in this area remains surprisingly limited compared to other mental health disorders.”

Associate Professor Isabel Krug, who leads the Eating Disorders Lab within the Brain and Mental Health Hub, is passionate about addressing this gap between the pervasive impact of eating disorders and lack of scientific understanding. The Lab conducts cutting-edge research that explores eating disorders and body image concerns through a biopsychosocial lens and is committed to improving prevention and treatment strategies.

“We’re integrating biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors to improve classification, assessment and treatment,” Associate Professor Krug explains. “By connecting cutting-edge science, real-world experiences and innovative methodologies, our work aims to redefine how we classify, understand and treat eating disorders, ensuring more effective interventions and greater global awareness.”

Jade Portingale, a PhD student within the Eating Disorder Lab, is similarly fascinated by the prevalence of disordered eating. Her interest stems from the multifaceted nature of body image and eating behaviours, intricately woven into our everyday lives in ways people wouldn’t think to connect – from social media and beauty standards to simple sensory experiences.

Jade’s research explores how we perceive ourselves and how that perception can be readily altered through ‘body illusions’, where the brain gets tricked into temporarily adopting or ‘embodying’ an artificial body part, or even an entire body that isn't one’s own. Interestingly, people with and at risk of eating disorders are more susceptible to body illusions, which has important implications for understanding the brain's integration of sensory signals like vision, touch and internal bodily cues. Her aim is to leverage these findings into an innovative embodiment-based intervention.

“Our research suggests that there may be ‘abnormalities’ in how these signals are processed, which can help to explain eating disorder symptoms,” Jade explains. “We’re investigating how these illusions can be used to improve disturbances in body and face image – essentially recalibrating how people perceive (misperceive) themselves, at least temporarily,”

Jade’s research also extends into the often-overlooked deficits in face perception, evaluation and recognition that people with eating disorders experience. Through face-related illusions (called ‘enfacement’) which elicit the feeling of owning another person’s face, she’s increasing understanding of these complex issues, which could open up novel therapeutic avenues.

Complementing Jade's focus on body perception, Associate Professor Krug’s research takes a comprehensive, biopsychosocial look at eating disorders. Her current projects range from examining how underlying mechanisms in eating disorders are comorbid with other conditions, such as anxiety and autism, to exploring the role of emerging digital trends.

“We investigate new social media trends (eg, Mukbang viewing) and their potential influence on disordered eating, uncovering how online content may reinforce harmful behaviours, or offer new opportunities for prevention and early intervention,” she elaborates.

Furthering research into under-investigated topics is key to the projects undertaken by Associate Professor Krug. One of her primary research lines focuses on critically under-researched Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED), with the aim of refining its classification and improving recognition of its subtypes. Her team is also pushing for more globally- research and treatment by participating in international initiatives, including leading a review on the prevalence of eating disorders in Africa, and a worldwide data collection on Body in Nature led by a UK team.

When reflecting on what they love most about their work, both researchers are in full agreement: the collaborative relationships with people, the creativity of the research and the impact of their findings are the most fulfilling aspects.

Associate Professor Krug emphasises how much she values the incredible people she gets to collaborate with and mentor.

“Watching my students grow, succeed, and carve out their own career paths is one of the most rewarding aspects,” she says. "Their transitions into meaningful roles, whether in academia, clinical practice, or beyond, are a constant reminder of why I do what I do."

She also feels honoured to work alongside inspiring colleagues, individuals with lived experience, and partners from underrepresented populations, countries and organisations.

“I love connecting with people in my field – having conversations that challenge me to see things from new perspectives and exploring how different areas of research intersect,” adds Jade. There's never any shortage of exciting new ideas for research projects or a potential collaboration to explore.”

For Jade, these collaborations have included lab visits to Barcelona and Milan, where she worked on virtual reality interventions for eating disorders with some of the top innovators in her field.

Ultimately, Associate Professor Krug and Jade share a deep appreciation of the real-world impact of their research. As Jade puts it, “It’s exciting to be part of research that not only deepens our understanding of these complex issues but also holds the potential to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”

“I get to design projects that push boundaries, integrating clinical experience with innovative methodologies, ensuring that my work has real-world impact,” enthuses Associate Professor Krug.

“At the heart of it all, I love that my work is never stagnant – it is dynamic, evolving, and always pushing toward something bigger: better understanding, better treatments, and ultimately, better outcomes for those affected by eating disorders.”