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Updated: Jun 26, 2025

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
Reimagining care: effectiveness of modifying an adolescent eating disorder intensive service
Ellen Hayes1, Nicola Tweedy1, Victoria Chapman1
1Specialist Child and Adolescent Eating Disorder Service, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK.
Aims And Method:
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a surge in adolescent eating disorders and rapid changes in the delivery of intensive community treatments. This study investigates the modification from a group-based day programme to an intensive family treatment approach. A retrospective chart review was performed on data from 190 patients who accessed the intensive service for anorexia nervosa in the past 6 years. Outcomes from the traditional model were compared with the new intensive family model, namely length of admission, percentage median body mass index difference and transfers to in-patient services.
Results:
There was a significant reduction in the length of intensive treatment (from 143.19 to 97.20 days). The number of transfers to specialist eating disorder in-patient services also significantly reduced, and is decreasing year on year.
Clinical Implications:
The findings hold particular relevance as intensive services for adolescent eating disorders continue to be established within health services, with no clear unified approach to treatment.
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