Residential treatment for eating disorders

Abstract

Objective: The current study describes residential treatment for eating disorders in the United States.

Method: A national study involving 22 residential eating disorder treatment programs was conducted using a survey to determine treatment program descriptions and trends. Data from 19 respondents, representing 86% of all residential treatment programs in the United States, were examined.

Results: Residential treatment options for individuals with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are becoming increasingly more common. A wide variety of techniques and methods are employed in the treatment of individuals with eating disorders in residential treatment programs. The average length of stay in treatment was 83 days, with an average cost per day of 956 US dollars.

Conclusion: The residential treatment of individuals with eating disorders is a growing, variable, and largely unregulated enterprise. Future research is needed to focus on quantifying treatment program effectiveness in the residential treatment of individuals with eating disorders.