Practical Food Groups: Exploring their contribution towards facilitating cognitive behavioural changes that suppport long term outcomes for individuals with eating disorders

Abstract

Objective: Relapse and rehospitalisation in individuals with eating disorders is a critical issue, especially considering their high prevalence. Emerging evidence supports practical and activity-based interventions as a potential treatment for long-term recovery. This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of "practical food groups" in facilitating cognitive and behavioural changes that support improved long-term outcomes for individuals with eating disorders. Method: Individuals with mixed diagnoses attended practical food groups as part of their treatment at an eating disorders day program. Ninety-nine participants completed questionnaires at discharge and three follow-up time points (6, 12 and 24 months). Questionnaires explored participants' experiences of practice food groups using rating-scale and open-ended responses. Data were collected between January 2010 and December 2014, and analysed using thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics were calculated for responses to rating-scale questions. Findings: At discharge, participants rated the importance and usefulness of practical food groups highly (4.73 and 44.43 on a 5-point scale, respectively), but tended to rate their enjoyment of the groups lower (3.50 on a 5-point scale). One core theme emerged: "success through participation". Six sub-themes were identified: helpful components of practical food groups; perceived benefit of exposure; impact of applying cognitive and behavioural skills; challenges affecting participation; facilitating adaptation; and influence of eating disorders on challenging feared foods. Discussion: This study highlighted that practical food groups are considered a useful, challenging and highly valued aspect of day treatment. Results support the potential usefulness of activity-based interventions to facilitate sustained change.