Adolescent Medicine Eating Disorder Program

The first visit for evaluation at our clinic may last two to three hours. This gives the healthcare provider, dietitian and mental health providers plenty of time to assess your child. They will assess for significant eating, weight, shape or body image concerns, medical and other mental health concerns.

We talk with the child and family members individually and together based on need. Additional blood work or testing may also be needed as part of the assessment. After the assessment, we discuss the diagnosis and proposed treatment plan with your family.

Your child may need to be admitted to the hospital if they have medical complications or are at risk for complications due to significant weight loss or severe eating disorder behaviors or mental health concerns.

Treatment of eating disorders occurs in a variety of clinical settings, where care is provided by a multidisciplinary team of medical and mental health providers, dietitians and social workers. These may include: 

• Outpatient
• Intensive outpatient
• Partial hospitalization
• Inpatient medical stabilization and nutritional rehabilitation
• Inpatient psychiatric stabilization
• Specialized eating disorder inpatient stabilization
• Residential

Factors that determine the level of treatment are:

• Severity of symptoms
• Eating behaviors
• Medical and mental health complications
• Motivation and engagement to recover
• Supportive and recovery-focused environment  

We provide outpatient, individualized treatment that may include weekly appointments with a medical provider, dietitian and/or mental health provider. We will assess your child and may add or reduce appointments as needed on an ongoing basis.

We collaborate with:

• Primary care providers, other medical specialists, mental health providers and dietitians for ongoing support
• Our hospital team, when at-risk patients need inpatient nutritional care and medical stabilization
• Other treatment facilities, coordinating referrals when higher-level care is needed

Contact your child’s primary care provider if you notice signs of an eating disorder. Possible warning signs include:

• Changes in eating habits, such as:
  • Rules around eating
  • Special diets and secretive eating
  • Preoccupation with weight loss, food calories and diets
  • Avoiding mealtimes
  • Frequent trips to the restroom after eating (can be a sign of binge eating or purging)
• Weight changes: A large weight loss or weight gain in a short period may be a sign of an eating disorder. 
• Menstrual irregularities: All eating disorders can cause irregular periods. Watch for changes in your child’s periods if you suspect an eating disorder. 
• Physical problems: Eating disorders can increase the risk of serious health problems, including:
  • Low heart rate
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Stomach pain, nausea or vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Tiredness, lethargy or poor concentration
  • Hair loss or brittle nails
  • Muscle weakness
  • Feeling cold
• Mood/personality changes: Children with eating disorders may become irritable, isolate themselves or withdraw from friends and activities that they enjoyed before, struggle with low self-esteem and body confidence.
• Strict exercise routine: Some young people may become dependent on exercise and feel the need to move constantly. They may develop an excessive, rigid exercise routine.

You will need to get a referral from your child’s primary care provider to make an appointment. We accept new patients between ages 12 and 20 and follow all patients until their 25th birthday.

We will review your child’s medical records from their referring physician and may ask for additional tests before the first appointment.

If you are concerned about your child, you may call our clinic at 859-323-5643 to discuss if a referral to our program is appropriate. We can provide support to address your concerns.

Websites

• F.E.A.S.T. (Families Empowered And Supporting Treatment for Eating Disorders)
• Plate-by-Plate
• National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
• Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)

Recommended books

• “Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder,” by James Lock and Daniel LeGrange
• “Family Based Treatment for Eating Disorders Piece by Piece – A Practical Guide for Parents,” by James Lock, Aileen Whyte, Brittany Matheson and Nandini Datta
• “Survive FBT: Skills Manual for Parents Undertaking Family Based Treatment (FBT) for Child and Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa,” by Marcia Ganci
• “How to Nourish Your Child Through an Eating Disorder: A Simple, Plate-by-Plate Approach to Rebuilding a Healthy Relationship with Food,” by Casey Crosbie & Wendy Sterling)

To contact our team, call the Adolescent Medicine Clinic at 859-323-5643.