Akron Children's Hospital's team of adolescent medicine physicians, registered dietitians, psychologists and clinical nurse specialists helps children, teens and young adults manage disordered eating behaviors and establish new patterns of thinking about and approaching food. Together, we restore physical and emotional health through balanced nutrition, addressing body image issues and giving patients the coping skills they need to overcome eating disorders.
Early recognition and treatment of eating disorders are essential. Children and teens who are treated at a younger age typically experience better outcomes, including shorter illness duration and less severe medical complications such as cardiovascular problems, anemia, kidney dysfunction and osteoporosis.
New patients of our eating disorder program receive a thorough examination, psychological evaluation and nutrition assessment. We may also perform testing such as lab work to check for anemia, hormonal changes or other concerns and bone scans to evaluate bone health.
Our outpatient program is designed to reduce extended stays in residential treatment programs and teach families the skills to manage an eating disorder at home.
Outpatient treatment includes mental health therapy with a child and adolescent psychologist or other licensed mental health specialist. These specialists use proven therapies, including family, individual and group therapy.
A registered dietitian who specializes in treating eating disorders will develop a healthy, balanced meal plan customized to your child's individual recovery goals. The dietitian will also provide counseling on behavioral and lifestyle changes to improve long-term eating habits and health, while monitoring your child's progress.
Inpatient treatment is also an option if your child requires more support and structure than the outpatient program provides.
Medical Director, Eating Disorders Program; Adolescent Medicine Specialist
Accepting New PatientsDivision Director, Division of Adolescent Medicine; Adolescent Medicine Specialist
Accepting New Patients
Certified Eating Disorder Specialist-Supervisor; Registered Dietitian; Certified Diabetes Educator
Accepting New Patients
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Akron Children’s Divisions of Adolescent Medicine and Pediatric Psychiatry and Psychology offer inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient levels of care. When traditional outpatient care does not lead to medical stabilization, patients are admitted to the inpatient unit for medical stabilization. Families and patients needing support beyond weekly outpatient appointments will be recommended to the IOP, which aids in improving structure, coping strategies and parenting skills that can lead to improved outcomes for your child.
The IOP follows two core principles:
Therefore, the goal of the program will be to assist your family in the development of skills that will help you challenge the eating disorder and work toward eating disorder recovery. We also aim to empower caregivers to address and change factors maintaining the eating disorder.
As such, teens and their caregiver(s) participate in groups that include topics on coping strategies, challenging eating disorder cognitions, values identification, communication skills and meal support. Groups are led by our mental health team including psychologists and mental health therapists, with a weekly medical check completed by nursing staff and reviewed by an Adolescent Medicine physician. During IOP, patients are expected to meet with their outpatient treatment team - physician, dietitian, therapist - in addition to their participation in programming. Medical monitoring will take place once per week, and regular medical checks are expected during program.