Evidence-Based Psychosocial Treatments for Eating Problems and Eating Disorders

Abstract

Eating disorders represent a significant source of psychological impairment among adolescents. However, most controlled treatment studies have focused on adult populations. This review provides a synthesis of existing data concerning the efficacy of various psychosocial interventions for eating disorders in adolescent samples. Modes of therapy examined in adolescent samples include family therapy, cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy mostly in patients with anorexia nervosa. At this time, the evidence base is strongest for the Maudsley model of family therapy for anorexia nervosa. Evidence of efficacy for other treatments and other conditions is limited by several methodological factors including the small number of studies, failure to use appropriate control conditions or randomization procedures, and small sample sizes (i.e., fewer than 10 participants per treatment arm). Potential moderators and mediators of treatment effect are reviewed. Finally, results from adolescent studies are contrasted with those from adult studies of eating disorders treatment. Many studies of adult populations comprise late adolescent/young adult participants, suggesting that findings regarding the efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for bulimia nervosa in adults likely extend to older adolescent populations.

An Integrated Feminist Approach to Disordered Eating Intervention in a University Campus Outpatient Setting

“…Much of the existing research has been conducted with adults, such that there has been increasing interest in the treatment of eating disorders during adolescence and young adulthood (Keel & Haedt, 2008;Schmidt et al, 2007). This is a particularly salient issue for those involved in prevention and treatment efforts located in university settings because the peak age of onset is typically between the ages of 16 and 20 (Kashubeck-West & Mintz, 2001;Striegel-Moore et al, 2003;Taylor et al, 2006).…”

POPS: a school-based prevention programme for eating disorders

“…In the long-term, high relapse rates can be observed (Berkman et al 2007). Eating disorders cause high costs (Simon et al 2005;Striegel-Moore et al 2008) and are considered to be difficult to treat (Berkman et al 2006;Keel and Haedt 2008;Wilson et al 2007) All these data emphasize the importance of the early prevention of eating disorders -prevention which takes into account the situation of boys and younger age-classes as well.…”

Group Therapy for Adolescents Living With an Eating Disorder

“…While CBT appears to be the most common treatment approach for adult eating disorders (Keel & Haedt, 2008), MFT is the most frequently documented in the literature on group approaches for adolescents. The interest in MFT may stem from findings related to FBT in the treatment of young people with AN (Keel & Haedt, 2008) and BN (Le Grange, Crosby, Rathouz, & Levental, 2007).…”

“…The interest in MFT may stem from findings related to FBT in the treatment of young people with AN (Keel & Haedt, 2008) and BN (Le Grange, Crosby, Rathouz, & Levental, 2007). MFT is also an approach that acknowledges the role of the family system in a young person's recovery (Scholz et al, 2005).…”

“…Similarly, group interpersonal therapy (IPT) has been shown to reduce binging in adults diagnosed with BED (Agras et al, 1995), and emerging research is beginning to trial motivational models for adults living with AN (Touyz, Thornton, Rieger, George, & Beumont, 2003). While it is evident that group models can promote positive outcomes for individuals living with an eating disorder Brownley et al, 2007), it remains unclear whether evidence exists to support the use of group therapy for adolescents (Keel & Haedt, 2008).…”