Impact Seed Funding for Early Career Researchers
Suffered by approximately one-third of Australians aged 13 to 17, eating disorders and ‘disordered eating’ are being addressed by early career researcher Dr Ryan Balzan, thanks to donor support.
A Flinders University Impact Seed Funding for Early Career Researchers grant of $10,000 has enabled Dr Balzan to develop, deliver and evaluate an online program designed to reduce the onset and impact of eating disorders – which have a mortality rate almost double that of other psychiatric disorders.
“The 30-minute online prevention program encourages people with eating disorders to adopt a more flexible mode of thinking, rather than a rigid perfectionistic-style – which is elevated in those with clinical eating disorders,” says Dr Balzan.
“During the program we measured levels of awareness of eating disorders, levels of biased-thinking associated with eating disorders, and problematic beliefs around body image, weight and shape.”
Early career researcher Dr Ryan Balzan is working to reduce eating disorders
The outcomes from the program were overwhelmingly positive.
“It was not only successful in improving cognitive flexibility and perfectionism, but also reduced body image concerns and disordered eating behaviours,” says Dr Balzan.
“It has the potential to reduce the onset of eating disorders in future generations.”
Not only will the program improve outcomes for those susceptible to eating disorders, it has also provided a crucial stepping stone in Dr Balzan’s research capability and built his confidence to seek larger grants to accomplish more extensive projects.
None of which would have been possible without donor support for the Impact Seed Funding for Early Career Researcher grant program.
“It’s very difficult to establish yourself in the research community – seed grants such as these are integral to launching a research career. I am extremely thankful for the generosity of donors and their faith in the next generation of researchers,” says Dr Balzan.
You can provide critical support for early career researchers to explore new ground in research that has the potential to transform lives and improve our community.
100% of your donation will support early career researchers at Flinders University to undertake life-changing research. All donations $2 and over are tax-deductible within Australia.
Tax exemption number for charitable donations: 65 542 596 200.
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