Is Family Therapy Useful for Treating Children With Anorexia Nervosa? Results of a Case Series

Abstract

Research suggests that family-based treatment (FBT) is an effective treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). This retrospective case series was designed to examine its usefulness with younger children. Data were abstracted from medical records of 32 children with a mean age of 11.9 years (range 9.0-12.9) meeting diagnostic criteria for AN (n=29) and eating disorder not otherwise specified-restricting type (n=3) who were treated at two sites with FBT. Baseline characteristics, before and after weights, and Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) scores were compared with an adolescent cohort (N=78) with a mean age of 15.5 years (range 13.1-18.4) who were treated with FBT. Children with AN share most disordered eating behaviors with their adolescent counterparts; however, their EDE scores are significantly lower than adolescents at both pre- and posttreatment assessments. Over the course of treatment with FBT, children showed statistically and clinically significant weight gain and improvements in eating disordered thinking as measured by the EDE. FBT appears to be an acceptable and effective treatment for AN in children.