The dietitian’s role in the assessment and treatment of eating disorders

• Autor(a) principal: Moraes, Carlos Eduardo Ferreira de
• Data de Publicação: 2019
• Outros Autores: Maravalhas, Rebecca de Almeida, Mourilhe, Carla
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Debates em Psiquiatria (Online)
• Texto Completo: https://revistardp.org.br/revista/article/view/51
• topic: Transtornos alimentares; nutrição; avaliação; tratamento; Eating disorders; nutrition; assessment; treatment

Eating disorders (ED) are mental disorders characterized by altered eating behavior, excessive weight concernand body image disturbance that impair the individual’s health and quality of life. The major ED are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Although these three disorders share some common characteristics, the eating psychopathology may vary according to each ED. Thus, disordered eating behaviors should be correctly identified for the treatment to be performed properly. The guidelines available for the management of ED recommend that the treatment should be provided by specialized professionals, from different disciplines, including nutrition. The present paper approaches the dietitian’s role in the assessment and treatment of ED. Nutritional assessment aims to identify eating behaviors and symptoms related to these conditions. Also, the dietitian should set specific, individualized treatment goals, aiming at progressive and sustainable changes. Finally, the paper highlights the importance of specialized professionals for the correct identification of disordered eating behaviors, and later, for proper nutritional counseling for each ED.