Family‐Based Treatment for Primary Care: An Observational Study of a Community Sample of Youth With Restrictive Eating Disorders

ABSTRACT Objective To examine the outcomes of a clinical sample of young patients with restrictive eating disorders who received Family‐Based Treatment for Primary Care (FBT‐PC). Methods Participants were 134 youth (mean age = 15.7 years) and their caregiver(s). Participants and caregivers completed measures of eating disorder symptomatology, quality of life, and caregiver self‐efficacy. Results Of the 134 patients who received at least one session of FBT‐PC, 55.9% completed treatment, 20.1% were followed until they began a higher level of care, and 23.8% were non‐completers. Weekly measures for the full sample were evaluated using intention‐to‐treat analyses. Patient‐reported scores on the ED‐15 improved by −0.1 (SE = 0.02, F ( 1,133)= 26.4, p < 0.0001) per week, and caregivers' ratings of patient symptoms also improved by 0.85 (SE = 0.2, F ( 1,133 )= 13.1, p = 0.0003) per week. Patient's BMI percentile increased by 1.25 points per week (SE = 0.14, F ( 1,133 ) = 83.9, p < 0.0001). For patients who completed FBT‐PC, eating disorder symptoms, per patient‐ ( M = −1.43, p < 0.0001) and caregiver‐report ( M = −1.33 p < 0.0001) decreased significantly from baseline to end of treatment. Patient's quality of life increased significantly from baseline to end of treatment ( M = 21.6, p < 0.0001) and caregivers showed significant increases in self‐efficacy ( M = 3.41, p < 0.0001, d = 0.856). At the end of treatment, 62.5% of patients with complete data met criteria for full research remission, and 44.6% met criteria for full clinical remission. Discussion Findings provide preliminary support for FBT‐PC as an effective treatment for youth with restrictive eating disorders. Additional research is needed to replicate these findings in other primary care settings and to understand the durability of treatment effects.