Eating disorder management In hospital patients: Current practice among dietitians in Australia

摘要

Aim: To examine dietetic practice during the management of eating disorders in inpatient and daypatient settings. Methods: A survey was sent to dietitians working in the clinical management of eating disorders within Australia. Thirty-six qualified dietitians including all dietitians working at the specialist units in Australia participated in the study.Results: Most dietitians aim to meet patients' nutritional requirements by food alone without artificial feeding. High-energy supplements are the preferred method of increasing energy intake to eating disorder patients. Naso- gastric feeding was a standard feeding practice for anorexia nervosa reported by one-third of dietitians. Total parenteral nutrition was not considered an option for nutritional rehabilitation. In the treatment of anorexia nervosa, variable energy intakes for individual patients were prescribed aiming for weight gain of up to 1.0 kg/week in inpatients and 0.5 kg/week in outpatients.Conclusion: In Australia, there is no standard nutritional management for anorexia and bulimia nervosa. This survey establishes a baseline for nutritional management and practice of dietitians working with patients with eating disorders. Further research is needed regarding use of nasogastric feeding, and weight gain targets in anorexia nervosa.