Services & Specialties
Eating Disorders

The Eating Disorder Program at Cincinnati Children’s provides coordinated medical and mental health care for children, teens and young adults through age 25.
A girl looking confused in front of a plate of food.

Comprehensive Eating Disorder Care for Children, Teens and Young Adults

When your child is struggling with food, weight or body image, it can feel confusing and frightening. You may not know what is serious or what to do next. The Eating Disorders Program at Cincinnati Children’s is here to guide you with clear answers and steady support.

We treat many types of eating disorders including anorexia nervosa, avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED). Our program brings medical care, nutrition support and mental health treatment together in one coordinated plan. We care for patients through age 25, so support continues during the critical young adult years.

Why Choose Cincinnati Children’s Eating Disorder Program?

  • Team-based care from physicians, psychologists, dietitians and specialized nurses working in one unified program
  • Dedicated nurse coordinator who guides your family from referral through ongoing care and helps triage concerns between visits
  • Personalized care plans that adjust based on medical needs, progress and developmental stage
  • Whole-child approach that supports physical health, emotional well-being, family relationships and school success

Expert Eating Disorder Treatment and Support

Coordinated Team-Based Care

Our program is built around a team-based care model. Physicians, psychologists, registered dietitians and nurses work closely together. Families receive one clear message and timely updates when care needs change.

Dedicated Clinical Nurse Support

From the first referral call, your family is supported by a dedicated nurse coordinator. The nurse gathers medical records, reviews growth charts and lab results, and helps determine urgency. Between visits, they review symptoms and guide next steps so you are never navigating concerns alone.

Individualized Treatment Plans

Every child receives a personalized care plan. Treatment may include medical care for complications of weight loss or purging, psychotherapy, nutrition counseling and medicines for depression or anxiety. Plans adjust as recovery unfolds. Our physicians, psychologists and dietitians work together to create one unified plan, so families receive clear guidance at every step.

We care for children, adolescents and young adults through age 25. This allows for continuity during a time when eating disorders often continue or newly develop.

Whole-Child, Developmentally Informed Care

Eating disorders affect more than food and weight. They impact the heart, hormones, mood, school and family life. Our whole-child approach addresses medical stability, nutrition rehabilitation and evidence-based mental health treatment at the same time.

Regional Inpatient Medical Stabilization

In addition to outpatient care, we provide inpatient hospital treatment for medical stabilization when needed. The program cared for over 1,100 patients in 2025. Most families come from the local area, and we continue to expand access to meet regional needs.

Our goal is simple: to provide steady, coordinated care so your child can move toward recovery with confidence and support.