Development of a gender-affirming care protocol in eating disorder treatment settings

Transgender and gender-expansive (TGE) individuals suffer from eating disorders (EDs) at disproportionate rates relative to their gender-conforming counterparts. While literature on EDs in TGE populations is growing and evolving, best practice guidelines are scant. A framework for providing gender-affirming care (GAC) in an ED treatment setting was developed by integrating findings from a focused literature review and insights from leading experts. Following synchronous and asynchronous training, the protocol was implemented in a virtual ED treatment setting with a national reach serving patients ages 6-24 years. This paper offers a summary of best practices and approaches for providing GAC in ED treatment settings. The use of GAC practices has the potential to address underlying issues and inequities in treatment delivery and outcomes. We encourage ED treatment providers to consider the adoption/adaptation of GAC best practices to more effectively meet the needs of TGE patients. More research is needed to better understand the influence of individual and collective GAC practices on specific ED treatment outcomes.