Alternative Title

Professionals' weighing procedures in the treatment of eating disorder patients

Publication Date

2016

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Study Type

Mixed methods

Department

School for Social Work

Keywords

Eating disorders-Treatment, Body weight-Measurement, Eating disorders, Blind-weighing, Open-weighing, Weighing protocol

Abstract

This descriptive, mixed methods study examined the weighing practices of professionals presently treating individuals with an eating disorder. Following a comprehensive review of literature on the topic, only one prior study was found that examined the clinical practices of weighing patients with an eating disorder. Data were collected through an online survey questionnaire created by the authors, Kelsie T. Forbush, Jonathon Richardson, and Brittany Bohrer (2014), of the prior study mentioned above. Data collected allowed the researcher to identify the rates at which professionals incorporate blind- vs. open-weighing in their practice, whether their weighing policy has changed over time, and which therapeutic modalities guide their practice. Additionally, the researcher of the present study added three additional questions to the existing survey to better understand participants’ perceived effectiveness of the different weighing methods. The size of the sample and the lack of geographic diversity served as major limitations of the study. The researcher’s hope is that the study will highlight the need for further research on the topic as well as greater research within the field of eating disorder treatment.

Language

English

Comments

iv, 80 pages. M.S.W., Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Ma., 2016. Includes bibliographical references (pages 54-59)

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