A prevention and early detection program for the treatment of eating disorders: Experience from Spain

A Prevention and Early Detection Eating Disorders Program carried out in Madrid during six years with children from 12 to 14 years is presented. Interviews focused on risk detection (Endefa 1) were carried out working with the parents of the children at risk. Courses on prevention of eating disorders were taught to the teachers and physicians of the community. Children at risk were also included in some workshops about prevention of eating disorders. To this end, not only were assessed factors related with food (fear of fatness, dissatisfaction with body shape, and so on) but other cognitive, behavioral, and emotional risk factors involved with these disorders (perfectionism, low self-esteem, self-criticism, social relationships with pairs, and son on). Familiar and social risk factors were also assessed. Program outcome particularly their effectiveness on eating disorders with children is also discussed.