Please note that this is an Archived article and may contain content that is out of date. The use of she/her/hers pronouns in some articles is not intended to be exclusionary. Eating disorders can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes, and weights.

By: Center for Change Research Team

Based on data collected from 79 patients during the year 2001, we found that the Center for Change inpatient treatment approach resulted in a substantial decrease in anxiety about eating, preoccupation with food, and other eating disorder symptoms, and that patients’ scores at discharge were well within the normal range for people who do not have eating disorders. We also found that patients’ body shape satisfaction returned to a normal level such that there was a much less intense concern about body shape and size.

Patients in our inpatient program also experienced significant reductions in psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression, interpersonal difficulties, and social role conflicts, and demonstrated the ability to function normally in these areas. They also experienced substantial improvement in self-esteem. Patients also reported feeling greater satisfaction with the direction their life was now taking and a closer relationship with God. This year’s findings are consistent with what we have found in previous years and provide additional evidence that our specialized eating disorder treatment program is a major help to the vast majority of women who participate in it.