Improving Oral Nutrition Intake Through One-on-One Meal Support for Patients With Eating Disorders

INTRODUCTION: Treatment for eating disorders (EDs) after hospitalization requires structured environments such as residential care programs where treatment options such as meal support therapy can help manage the physical and psychological effects of their illness. The residential center for this project follows a multidisciplinary approach that uses cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) as a treatment modality for ED. Structured meal support is an essential part of implementing the center's CBT program. AIM: The project aimed to determine if one-on-one mealtime support training for staff can help increase oral nutrition intake in adolescents with EDs. METHODS: Meal consumption data for five residents of the ED center was used for this project. First, 2 weeks of meal consumption data were collected (210 meals). Then residential center staff were trained on using meal support strategies adapted from the Auckland Eating Disorder Manual. After training the staff and having them implement the strategies with ED clients for a week, another 2 weeks of meal consumption data were collected (210 meals). The preimplementation and postimplementation data were compared to determine if the intervention had an impact on the overall meal intake by residents of the ED center. RESULTS: Before implementing the project, patients completed 122 meals in 2 weeks, representing 58.1% of their meals and after the intervention, patients completed 141 meals representing 67.14% of their meals. CONCLUSION: Project findings show that the use of mealtime support strategies while providing one-on-one support for patients with EDs led to an increase in the overall oral intake.