Disordered Eating Program

If you or a loved one ages 10–24 are struggling with disordered eating, Oklahoma Children’s OU Health offers specialized, compassionate care led by pediatric and adolescent experts.

Specialized Care for Adolescents and Young Adults Close to Home

The Adolescent Medicine Disordered Eating Program at Oklahoma Children’s OU Health in Oklahoma City provides patient‑centered, family‑supported care for children, adolescents, and young adults across Oklahoma and the surrounding region.

Conditions We Treat

• Anorexia nervosa
• Bulimia nervosa
• Binge eating disorder
• Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID)
• Other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED)

Signs of Disordered Eating

Emotional and Behavioral Signs

• Becomes preoccupied with weight loss, food, calories, and dieting
• Refuses to eat certain foods and may eliminate entire food groups, such as carbohydrates or fats
• Makes excuses to avoid mealtimes or situations involving food
• Develops food rituals, such as eating foods in a specific order, excessive chewing, or rearranging food on a plate
• Withdraws from friends and previously enjoyable activities and becomes more isolated or secretive
• Shows extreme concern with body size or shape
• Frequently checks the mirror for perceived flaws in appearance
• Experiences extreme mood swings

Physical Signs

• Shows noticeable changes in weight, either up or down
• Experiences stomach cramps or other ongoing gastrointestinal concerns, such as constipation or acid reflux
• Has menstrual changes, including delayed onset of periods, missed periods, or periods that occur only when taking hormonal medications
• Has difficulty concentrating
• Shows abnormal laboratory results, such as anemia or low hormone, potassium, or blood cell levels (though some children and teens with eating disorders may have normal lab results)
• Feels dizzy, especially when standing up
• Faints or has episodes of syncope
• Feels cold most of the time
• Has ongoing sleep problems
• Develops cuts or calluses on the tops of finger joints, which can result from self‑induced vomiting
• Experiences dental problems
• Has dry skin and hair or brittle nails
• Develops fine hair on the body (lanugo)
• Experiences muscle weakness
• Develops yellowing of the skin, sometimes associated with eating large amounts of carrots
• Has cold, mottled hands and feet or swelling in the feet
• Heals slowly from cuts or wounds
• Gets sick more often due to weakened immune function

Care Plans for Your Recovery

Outpatient Treatment Program

At Oklahoma Children’s OU Health, our Disordered Eating Program offers coordinated outpatient care designed to support individuals ages 10–24 on their recovery. In a welcoming, accessible setting, patients benefit from integrated medical, psychotherapy, and dietitian services — all conveniently located under one roof. This collaborative approach ensures consistency and clear communication among your care team, helping you make steady progress toward healing.

Family involvement is a cornerstone of our program, as research shows it plays a crucial role in long-term recovery. We actively encourage families to participate in treatment and offer evidence-based therapies, including family-based treatment (FBT), enhanced cognitive behavioral therapy (CBTE), and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tailored for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (CBT-AR). These proven methods empower patients and families to work together, build resilience, and develop lasting, healthy habits.

For patients whose needs require a higher level of care, our program can transition you to specialized inpatient services, ensuring seamless continuity of support. We provide top-level medical stabilization for severe eating disorders and offer medium-term inpatient care. Our inpatient team provides comprehensive medical, psychological, and nutritional care in a safe, nurturing environment, always keeping your overall well-being at the forefront.

Inpatient Treatment Program

Our specialized eight bed program at Oklahoma Children’s is designed to support adolescents and young adults ages 12 to 21 of all genders who need a higher level of medical and therapeutic care.

We offer a structured, evidence-based approach that includes both individual and group therapy sessions, ensuring each patient receives personalized care within a supportive community. Our comprehensive treatment combines medical, psychological, and nutritional support, fostering a collaborative environment for recovery. Families are actively involved in the process, and our multidisciplinary team utilizes a variety of proven methods.

Therapeutic Approaches Include:

• Family‑based treatment (FBT)
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

Group and Support Services Include:

• ARFID groups
• Body image groups
• Skills groups
• Art and music therapy
• Yoga and body‑movement therapy using an eating‑disorder‑informed framework

Most inpatient stays last between four and eight weeks. Please note, this is not a residential program. During your time with us, you will be assigned a dedicated dietitian and therapist to support your recovery. Additionally, our school liaison will work closely with you to help you keep up with your academic responsibilities while you’re here.

• Our goal is to help patients transition successfully back home. We also provide dietary support with psychoeducation groups, exposure meals, and a mirrored meal experience for families and patients

Your Adolescent Medicine Care Team

At Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health, our adolescent medicine specialists offer compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each individual. Our multidisciplinary team includes adolescent medicine physicians, dietitians, therapists, hospitalists, pediatric psychiatrists (as needed), and child life specialists.

Patient Resources

• Welcome letter
• What to bring
• Example schedule
• School note