Eating Disorder Program

Early recognition and treatment of eating disorders are essential. Children and teens who are treated at a younger age typically experience better outcomes, including shorter illness duration and less severe medical complications such as cardiovascular problems, anemia, kidney dysfunction and osteoporosis.

New patients of our eating disorder program receive a thorough examination, psychological evaluation and nutrition assessment. We may also perform testing such as lab work to check for anemia, hormonal changes or other concerns and bone scans to evaluate bone health.

Our outpatient program is designed to reduce extended stays in residential treatment programs and teach families the skills to manage an eating disorder at home.

Outpatient treatment includes mental health therapy with a child and adolescent psychologist or other licensed mental health specialist. These specialists use proven therapies, including family, individual and group therapy.

A registered dietitian who specializes in treating eating disorders will develop a healthy, balanced meal plan customized to your child's individual recovery goals. The dietitian will also provide counseling on behavioral and lifestyle changes to improve long-term eating habits and health, while monitoring your child's progress.

Inpatient treatment is also an option if your child requires more support and structure than the outpatient program provides.

Eating Disorder Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Akron Children’s Divisions of Adolescent Medicine and Pediatric Psychiatry and Psychology offer inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient levels of care. When traditional outpatient care does not lead to medical stabilization, patients are admitted to the inpatient unit for medical stabilization. Families and patients needing support beyond weekly outpatient appointments will be recommended to the IOP, which aids in improving structure, coping strategies and parenting skills that can lead to improved outcomes for your child.

Program Benefits

The IOP follows two core principles: 

1. The cause of eating disorders is unknown.
2. The family is a vital team member in combating this disorder. 

Therefore, the goal of the program will be to assist your family in the development of skills that will help you challenge the eating disorder and work toward eating disorder recovery. We also aim to empower caregivers to address and change factors maintaining the eating disorder. 

As such, teens and their caregiver(s) participate in groups that include topics on coping strategies, challenging eating disorder cognitions, values identification, communication skills and meal support. Groups are led by our mental health team including psychologists and mental health therapists, with a weekly medical check completed by nursing staff and reviewed by an Adolescent Medicine physician. During IOP, patients are expected to meet with their outpatient treatment team - physician, dietitian, therapist - in addition to their participation in programming. Medical monitoring will take place once per week, and regular medical checks are expected during program.

Eligibility Criteria

• Medical stability, to the extent that frequent monitoring of existing condition is not required. 
• Parents or child is requiring increased support or having trouble meeting nutritional needs and/or coping with distress of treatment 
• Failing to complete at least 80% of nutrition during an inpatient admission without supplementation. 
• Recent discharge from a residential facility in which a higher level of care was recommended upon discharge. 
• Weight is in a range deemed appropriate enough to not indicate a need for a higher level of care. 
• No significant changes in weight in recent weeks or difficulties maintaining an appropriate weight. 
• Fair motivation for change and willingness to participate in a group program aimed toward eating disorder recovery.   
• Co-occurring conditions that may be impairing and exacerbating eating disorder symptoms and indicate need for more structure.
• School-aged adolescent, 12-17 years of age. 
• Able to contract for safety.
• At least one caregiver can commit to participating in programming every multifamily day for the duration of IOP. 
• Currently engaged in treatment with an outpatient physician, dietitian and behavioral health provider to address eating disorder symptoms.