A structured, individualized eating program is created for each patient during inpatient hospitalization.
Meals and snacks are prescribed by the team dietician in collaboration with the clinical nurse specialist to ensure adequate nourishment and facilitate weight restoration as needed. Following a comprehensive physical exam, each patient is assigned a target weight range; this is the minimally acceptable weight range that the patient must maintain to permit healthy physical and cognitive functioning. Meal and snack content is initially determined by the dietician. Patients then progress to completing their own menus. Meals and snacks are monitored by our program staff.
In addition to individual meetings with the dietician for nutrition education and meal planning, patients meet with the dietician as a group. This group format provides an arena for discussion and education regarding various aspects of management of eating behaviors. The dietician also meets with parents prior to discharge to discuss meal planning at home.
