From questions to answers: Examining the role of pediatric surveillance units in eating disorder research

Debra K Katzman; Sloane Madden; Dasha Nicholls; Karizma Mawjee; Mark L Norris

doi:10.1002/eat.22663

From questions to answers: Examining the role of pediatric surveillance units in eating disorder research

Int J Eat Disord. 2017 Mar;50(3):259-265. doi: 10.1002/eat.22663. Epub 2017 Jan 17.

Authors

Debra K Katzman¹, Sloane Madden², Dasha Nicholls³, Karizma Mawjee⁴, Mark L Norris⁵

Affiliations

¹ Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Senior Associate Scientist, Research Institute, Director, Health Science Research, Undergraduate Medical Education, University of Toronto School of Medicine, Canada.
² Head of Department, Eating Disorders, The Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Clinical Lecturer, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
³ Feeding and Eating Disorders Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Honorary Senior Lecturer, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom.
⁴ Division of Adolescent Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Canada.
⁵ Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and the University of Ottawa, Clinical Investigator, CHEO Research Institute, Canada.

PMID: 28093801
DOI: 10.1002/eat.22663

Abstract

Pediatric Surveillance Units (PSUs) provide a unique model for the study of pediatric eating disorders (EDs). Australia, Britain, and Canada have surveillance programs that have generated valuable epidemiological and clinical data on early-onset eating disorders (EOED). The PSUs represent an important collaborative tool that has helped shape our understanding of EOEDs and offers potential to contribute to decisions regarding health resource allocation and public health policy. This paper reviews the role of PSUs as a unique model to study pediatric EDs and its success in translating the knowledge generated by these programs into improving the health of children and adolescents with EDs worldwide.

Keywords: adolescents; children; clinical care; early-onset eating disorders; eating disorders; epidemiology; pediatric surveillance; public health policy.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adolescent Health Services
Australia / epidemiology
Biomedical Research / methods*
Canada / epidemiology
Child
Child Care / methods*
Feeding and Eating Disorders / epidemiology
Feeding and Eating Disorders / prevention & control*
Female
Hospital Units
Humans
Male
Professional Role
United Kingdom / epidemiology