Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Nutritional Psycho-Education Group in a Community Eating Disorders Service

Introduction: Restoring healthy attitudes towards food choice and nutrition are at the core of successful treatment for eating disorders. However, little is known about what constitutes effective nutritional psycho-education for service users. This study evaluates a dietitian-led nutritional psycho-education group treatment for adults with eating disorders, specifically Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six service users attended a Food Choices group and completed questionnaires (a Food Choices Quiz, Personal Feedback Scale and Hopes and Worries Worksheet) before and after the group. Individual changes in scores were analyzed using a within-subjects design and written hopes and worries statements were reviewed using thematic analysis. Results: Participation in the group was associated with significant increases in scores on the Food Choices Quiz and Personal Feedback scales of knowledge, confidence, trust, and skills to plan and eat healthy meals. Core themes were identified within the Hopes and Worries Worksheet reflecting factors about the group itself, food and eating, health, control and capacity (to believe in self, trust in others, learn and change). Discussion: These data provide empirical support for the clinical effectiveness of a dietitian-led nutritional psycho-education group in enhancing adult service user understanding and positive attitudes towards healthy food choices. Further studies of variants of this intervention for children with eating disorders and their parents, and web-based delivery are warranted.