Research
A Greater Understanding of Eating Disorders
Researchers at The Renfrew Center Foundation are continually searching for new insights into the etiology and treatment of women with eating disorders. Their efforts contribute to a greater understanding of the causes of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder and to a more comprehensive, effective approach to treating and preventing eating and body image problems.
Current Research Studies
The Renfrew Center Foundation is committed to conducting quality research studies that further an understanding of the causes and treatments for eating disorders. Our current investigations include:
- A grant from The National Institute of Mental Health to study the effects of a specific cognitive-behavioral intervention on eating disorders treatment outcome. Data at Renfrew's outpatient sites is currently being collected in order to assess the efficacy of treatment and also study the effects of a normalization of eating intervention.
- A partnership with Drexel University examining weight loss history and hormone levels among individuals who have symptoms of bulimia nervosa that enter residential treatment.
- Follow-up research with residential patients at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year following their discharge to determine retention of symptom change following an inpatient treatment program.
The Renfrew Patient (2005-2007)*
*This data is reflective of The Renfrew Patient in a Residential setting at the Philadelphia site.
Eating Disorder Diagnosis:
Anorexia nervosa, restricting type 23.6%
Anorexia nervosa, purging type 16.7%
Bulimia nervosa 39.9%
EDNOS 18.3%
(eating disorder not otherwise specified) - includes
women with binge eating disorder and those who do
not meet full diagnostic criteria for anorexia or
bulimia Associated Diagnoses:
Depressive disorders 45.2%
Substance/Alcohol Abuse 14.7%
Anxiety disorders 25.1%
Bipolar disorders 7.3%
Post traumatic stress disorder 3.0%
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder 7.6%
Ages:
Adult mean age: 24.4
Adolescent mean age: 15.9
Weight:
Weight range: 62.5-350.6 lbs
Mean weight: 117.4 lbs
Mean weight for anorexics: 94.9 lbs
Ethnicity:
Caucasian 91.1%
African American 1.7%
Asian American 1.5%
Hispanic 2.7%
Multiracial 1.4%
Other 1.7%
Family status:
Single (never married): 64.3%
Married: 11.9%
Other: 24.0%
Employment:
Enrolled as students: 37.8%
Employed outside the home: 32.1%
Unemployed: 18.7%
Hospital Experience for an Eating Disorder:
Never hospitalized: 50.5%
1 prior hospitalization: 17.8%
2 or more hospitalizations: 26.8%
Range of Previous Hospitalizations: 0-30
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