Sensory processing, eating disorders, and neurodivergent traits

What is the research study about?

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You are invited to participate in this research study. The goal is to understand how we process sensory information—like tastes, touch, smells, sounds, and visuals—and how this affects the relationship between neurodivergent traits and disordered eating.

 

Neurodivergent traits refer to the different ways people understand information, emotions, and sensory experiences. Sensitivity to emotions and sensory input are connected and can impact our eating behaviours and thoughts about food.

 

This topic has not been studied in depth, so the research aims to fill this knowledge gap.

 

Common neurodivergent traits include:

 

• Increased or decreased sensitivity to sounds, lights, textures, tastes, or smells

• Difficulty in sensing internal cues like hunger or thirst

 

These traits can lead to challenges related to eating, such as avoiding certain foods due to texture or taste, sticking to the same foods for long periods, needing to eat alone to avoid feeling overwhelmed by sounds or lights, or feeling full after small amounts of food, which might lead to malnutrition.

 

The study aims to understand how these neurodivergent traits, particularly regarding sensory processing, may contribute to disordered eating and possibly increase the risk of eating disorders.

 

This investigation is important because it may enhance our understanding of how sensory processing affects eating difficulties. This knowledge could lead to improved, individualized care for eating disorders.

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Who can participate?

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Before you decide to participate in this research study, we need to ensure that it is ok for you to take part. The research study is looking recruit people who meet the following criteria:
-    You need to be 18 years or older
-    You need to understand English

 

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What does participation in this research require, and are there any risks involved?

If you decide to take part in the research study, we will ask you to complete online questionnaires about sensory processing and behaviours and attitudes related to eating (e.g., binge eating, food restriction, selective eating, body image). All questionnaires involve multiple choice questions. Overall, this should take approximately 25 to 35 minutes to complete.

10 Prepaid Digital Mastercard with a value of $50 Australian dollars (AUD) each will be offered for a prize draw once recruitment for this study has ended. The draw is anticipated to take place in mid-October 2025, and winners will be notified by email. If you wish to be considered for the prize draw, you need to provide an email address. Before commencing the questionnaires, you will have the option of providing your email address using a link that will redirect you to a separate form to ensure that your email address cannot be linked to your responses on the questionnaires; so, your responses remain anonymous. If you have been selected, we will email you.

No risks are reasonably expected as a result of your participation in this study. However, given that some of the questions from the self-report questionnaires focus on disordered eating behaviours (e.g., food restriction, binge eating), this may cause discomfort for some individuals. If you experience discomfort while participating in the research and you require support, you can stop participating at any time. You can also reach out to a member of the research team. Alternatively, a list of support services and their contact details are provided at the bottom of the Participant Information Sheet. 
 

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​Who is conducting this research?

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​This study is lived experience-led, with a majority of the researchers involved being neurodivergent, identifying as trans and/or gender diverse, and having lived experience of an eating disorder. ​

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This research has received ethics approval from the University of New South Wales (Reference Number: iRECS8352). 

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First, you need to read the Participation Information Sheet:​