Eating Disorder Care

If you or a loved one are struggling with your relationship with food, we encourage you to seek help. In the United States, around 9% of the population will have an eating disorder at some point in their life.  Additionally, eating disorders have one of the highest death rates of any mental illness. There is a common misconception that individuals who have eating disorders are always underweight. This is false. Fewer than 6% of people with an eating disorder are medically underweight. Regardless of your size, specific food-related challenges, or other co-occurring conditions, you deserve to have a peaceful relationship with food and your body. ThedaCare is here to help.

Someone who is living with an eating disorder may display few or many symptoms. The list below is not comprehensive of every sign and symptom that a person may experience. The body is resilient to change and often can reduce signs and symptoms from appearing. Take note of changes in mood, increased isolation, withdrawing from previously enjoyed hobbies and fixation on food.

Emotional and Behavioral Signs and Symptoms:

• Changes in eating pace or increased food rituals (small bites, ripping food, hiding food, excessive napkin use, etc.)
• Eliminating whole food groups from diet (carbohydrates, fat, dairy, etc.)
• Frequent checking of reflection in mirror
• Frequent bathroom use after meals
• Increase in self-harm or suicidality
• Mood changes
• Preoccupation with weight loss, food, calories and dieting
• Refusal to eat certain foods
• Withdrawal from previous enjoyed hobbies

Physical Signs and Symptoms:

• Abnormal labs (anemia, low thyroid and hormone levels, low potassium, low white and red blood cells, etc.)
• Blurred vision
• Changes in weight (up or down)
• Decline in school or sport performance
• Dental problems
• Digestion concerns (stomach cramps, constipation, diarrhea, early satiety, acid reflux, etc.)
• Dizziness or fainting
• Frequently cold even during warm weather
• Increased fatigue
• Increased frequency of illness
• Menstrual irregularities
• Muscle weakness
• Poor concentration
• Thinning hair and brittle nails

We provide nutrition guidance for children age 8 and older at ThedaCare locations in Appleton and Waupaca. We work with a variety of diagnoses that include but are not limited to anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (“ARFID”), orthorexia and other unspecified feeding and eating disorders (OSFED). We collaborate with other members of the treatment team (such as the doctor and/or therapist) to provide person-centered support.

Initial Nutrition Assessment

This is a 90-minute comprehensive visit where the registered dietitian will gather pertinent medical information. This may include recent lab work, vitals, anthropometrics, personal or family history, co-occurring diagnoses, and current medications/supplements. The dietitian will evaluate the person’s typical eating patterns and environment, decision-making when it comes to food, allergies and intolerances, and factors that influence eating behaviors. They will also seek to understand the person’s goals and support available to them.

Nutrition Follow-Up

This is a 30- to 60-minute session where the dietitian will use the information gathered in the initial assessment to inquire about the status of the person’s nutritional intake. They will explore nutritional adequacy, variety, balance and flexibility of eating patterns as well as the factors that influence these elements. A nutrition care plan may include a meal plan to help foster a stabilized eating pattern. The degree of structure will vary depending on individual need. The dietitian may regularly follow up on level of physical activity, vitamin supplementation, weight trends; integration of new foods, and reduction of maladaptive eating disorder behaviors. They help patients work toward long-term recovery through setting short-term goals and challenging unhelpful behaviors. Frequency of visits varies from once weekly to once every couple of months depending on individual need. Duration of treatment varies based on each person’s unique situation.