Eating disorders (EDs) are a significant yet underexplored public health issue in the Philippines, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Despite extensive research on EDs in Western societies, little is known about these disorders in the Philippines, where cultural attitudes, such as hiya (shame), profoundly influence mental health perceptions and help-seeking behaviors (Garabiles, Tuliao, & Velasquez, 2011; Tuliao & Velasquez, in press). This scoping review investigates how cultural attitudes and stigma affect help-seeking behaviors, serving as barriers to treatment and recovery for Filipinos with EDs.
Following Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) framework, the review implemented five stages: (1) identifying the research question, (2) identifying relevant studies, (3) study selection, (4) charting the data, and (5) collating, summarizing, and reporting results. Inclusion criteria focused on studies from 2000 onwards examining EDs (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder) that mention cultural attitudes, stigma, and treatment barriers within Filipino youth to young adult populations or similar Southeast Asian contexts. Databases searched included Scopus, APA PsycArticles, Taylor & Francis, and university repositories.
Findings highlight the significant impact of stigma and cultural norms in shaping help-seeking behaviors, perpetuating misconceptions about EDs and reducing access to care. Though resources about eating disorders are limited, this review underscores the need for culturally sensitive strategies to reduce stigma and improve access to treatment in the Philippines. Insights from this study aim to inform practitioners in tailoring interventions to Filipino contexts, fostering recovery for individuals with EDs.

Authors:
Alyssa Marie Dar Juan, De La Salle University, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Alyssa Dar Juan is a licensed Psychologist working as a university psychologist in De La Salle University. Alyssa is also a Certified Eating Disorder Intuitive Therapy Clinician, specializing in the treatment and management of eating disorders.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssa-marie-dar-juan-msc-rpm-rpsy-172642147/

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