Should parents take charge of their child's eating disorder? Some preliminary findings and suggestions for future research

Abstract

The treatment of children and young adolescents with anorexia nervosa is facilitated, relative to the treatment of adult patients, by the possibility of enlisting parents as allies in gaining control over eating behaviour. Experience at Rhodes Farm Clinic suggests that the capacity for parents to be firm with their child enhances weight maintenance following inpatient treatment. Our treatment approach is outlined, and illustrated with some clinical material. A pilot study of 59 cases (58 females, 1 male) strongly confirms that weight maintenance is positively associated with parental firmness, and also negatively associated with age on admission to the Clinic.