Evidence-based practice, research and anorexia: the what, the whys and the hurdles.

This article debates the merits of an evidence-based approach to the management of anorexia nervosa, addressing arguments as to why such a professional endeavor is important, as well as examining current hurdles to its realization. Obstacles to evidence-based practice in this field include the quality of research, as well as barriers produced by practitioners and service users, each of which are reviewed. A number of the problems highlighted in this discussion, relating to anorexia, apply to psychiatric research in general. Consequently, this article includes issues of interest to those whose field of expertise is not necessarily individuals with eating disorders.