Identifying and Managing Eating Disorders in Pediatric Obesity Treatment: Current Practices in Weight Management Programs throughout the United States.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-18-2026

Publication Title

Child Obes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders (EDs) are common in adolescents with obesity. Detection of EDs, such as binge eating disorder (BED), within pediatric weight management programs (PWMPs) is vital to ensure that children and adolescents receive appropriate treatment, yet identification of EDs in PWMPs is not well-established. This study sought to understand current practices in the assessment and management of EDs in PWMPs in the United States.

METHODS: A survey was developed by topic experts within Childhood Obesity Multi-Program Analysis and Study System to evaluate program practices related to the screening, diagnosis, referral, and treatment of EDs in PWMPs. Surveys were emailed to medical and behavioral health providers within these practices throughout the United States. Responses were tabulated and compared across program and provider characteristics.

RESULTS: Of the 38 respondents, three-fourths regularly screened for one or more EDs (

CONCLUSIONS: To provide the best patient care for adolescents with obesity, training and structured guidelines are needed to improve ED screening, as well as referral and treatment practices.

First Page

21532176261420972

Last Page

21532176261420972

Comments

Helen DeVos Children's Hospital

DOI

10.1177/21532176261420972

ISSN

2153-2176

PubMed ID

41709113

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS