Evaluation of Meal Support Training for Parents and Caregivers using a Video and a Manual

Objective: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the helpfulness of the contents of a video and manual for training parents and caregivers in providing meal support for eating disordered youth. Method: A self-report questionnaire consisting of closed and open-ended questions was given parents or caregivers of 52 new consecutive referrals to the specialized eating disorder program at British Columbia Children's Hospital. Results: The return rate was 77%. Sixty-five percent of the families were dealing with a youth diagnosed with anorexia nervosa, 33%, eating disorder not otherwise specified, and 2%, bulimia nervosa. The meal support training resources were deemed informative by the parents who reviewed the material. Parents most valued hearing about the youth's experience of the eating disorder and their feelings around food. Conclusion: As a minimum initial intervention, the combination of the manual and DVD/video was found to be convenient to use and was well received by families with eating disordered youth. These resources could be used by clinician treating an eating disordered youth and his or her family in order to start addressing the food issues.