Behavioral Interventions in the Treatment of Eating Disorders

Behavioral methods are inherent in many evidence-based treatments of eating disorders and have also been used separately. This review demonstrates that behavioral methods are necessary in the effective treatment of eating disorders-in particular, the improvement of nutrition and exposure-based methods. It is also possible that these methods are sufficient to treat anorexia nervosa, although other elements are needed on the treatment of bulimia nervosa. The impacts and mechanisms of behavioral and nutritional change merit serious attention in clinical work and research. Clinicians are often reluctant, however, to use these methods, and that needs to be the focus of supervision.