Eating Disorders

Overview

Eating disorders occur when people become too focused on their weight, body shape and food, and develop dangerous eating behaviors. Eating disorders can harm the heart, digestive system, and teeth and mouth, and can lead to other diseases.

The most common eating disorders are binge-eating disorder, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Eating disorders often develop in the teen and young adult years, although they can develop at other times as well. Their exact causes are not known, but they are likely complex and may stem from a combination of biological, psychological, family, genetic, environmental and social factors.

Why choose Mayo Clinic for eating disorders

• Family-based program. Mayo Clinic's family-based therapy program for children and teenagers with eating disorders is one of the few family-based programs in the United States. Parents and family members become an important part of the treatment team and learn ways to help the child recover. Children typically go home right after hospitalization, rather than to a day hospital or other intensive outpatient program.
• Care tailored to your needs. A psychologist serves as your individual care consultant throughout the entire program, both inpatient and outpatient. The small program size means you and your family will receive the time and attention you need.
• Team approach. Your team may include psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, dietitians and other medical professionals as needed who will coordinate your treatment. People with eating disorders that are complicated by complex medical conditions especially can benefit from Mayo Clinic's coordinated, team approach to care.
• Successful outcomes. In general, children and teenagers treated with family-based therapy for anorexia and bulimia have higher recovery rates than those treated with other approaches.

Mayo Clinic: Answers you can trust

At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service.

Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related to your condition.

Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care — and trusted answers — like they've never experienced.

Why Choose Mayo Clinic
What Sets Mayo Clinic Apart

Read more about eating disorders, including bulimia, anorexia and binge-eating disorders.