Examining supervised meals in patients with restrictive eating disorders.

OBJECTIVES

Anorexia nervosa is a chronic, life-threatening illness affecting adolescents with increasing incidence. Previous research has demonstrated that, although weight gain is a key to medical stabilization, there is wide and significant variability in treatment practices. Meal supervision in hospitalized patients involves the use of clinical staff as active and supportive observers during meal time. No studies to date have examined the effects of meal supervision in medically hospitalized patients with anorexia nervosa. The primary aim of this study was to examine the effect of meal supervision on outcomes during inpatient medical hospitalization.

METHODS

A retrospective record review of 52 patients with restrictive eating disorders admitted to a tertiary pediatric hospital from July 2008 to July 2009 was conducted.

RESULTS

The data revealed higher average weights and improved overnight heart rate trends for patients who received at least 1 supervised meal during hospitalization compared with those who received no supervised meals.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings warrant further investigation of meal supervision as a possible treatment modality.