Quality Standard Details
Eating Disorders: Care for People of All Ages
- Publication Date
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2023-March-01
- Status
- Published
- Topic Area
- Mental Health and Addictions
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Eating disorders are severe illnesses with significant medical and mental health complications, and can be difficult to treat. Untreated eating disorders can become chronic and can lead to short- and long-term medical complications, including cardiovascular and renal problems, gastrointestinal disturbances, fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, menstrual and fertility problems, osteoporosis and osteopenia, dental and dermatological problems, and severe disability.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, eating disorders were a common and severe health condition, affecting up to 4% of the population. From March to December 2021, emergency department visits increased by over 60% and hospital admissions increased by 37% for children and adolescents with eating disorders in Ontario.
This quality standard addresses care for people of all ages with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder. It applies to all care settings.
Although many statements may apply to avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), as well as other specified and unspecified eating disorders, this quality standard does not directly address the management of these conditions. This quality standard also does not address pica or rumination disorder.
Ontario Health’s Transitions from Youth to Adult Health Care Services and Transitions Between Hospital and Home quality standards provide further guidance on transitions in care and may be applicable to people with an eating disorder.
Quality Standard in Brief
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Quality Statement 1: Comprehensive Assessment
People with signs and symptoms of an eating disorder have timely access to comprehensive mental and physical health assessments. The assessment is used to determine whether they have a specific eating disorder, the severity of their symptoms, the degree of impairment, and whether they have any comorbid conditions, and to establish a plan of care.
Quality Statement 2: Level of Care
People with an eating disorder receive the most appropriate level of care, which takes into consideration their needs, goals, and experience with previous treatment.
Quality Statement 3: Transition From Youth to Adult Health Care Services
Young people with an eating disorder who will transition out of youth-oriented services to adult-oriented services receive transitional care that focuses on continuity and helping the young person develop independence.
Quality Statement 4: Psychotherapy
People with an eating disorder receive timely access to evidence-based psychotherapy that considers their individual needs and preferences.
Quality Statement 5: Monitoring and Medical Stabilization
People with an eating disorder receive ongoing medical monitoring to prevent and address adverse events and complications. They are offered acute medical stabilization when indicated.
Quality Statement 6: Support for Family and Caregivers
Families and caregivers of people with an eating disorder are offered resources, structured support, and education in a way that meets their needs.
Quality Statement 7: Physical, Mental Health, and Addiction Comorbidities
People with an eating disorder who have physical, mental health, or addiction comorbidities are offered treatment for their eating disorder and other conditions as part of a comprehensive plan of care.
Quality Statement 8: Promoting Equity
People with an eating disorder experience care from health care providers and a health care system that uses an anti-racist, anti-discrimination, anti-stigma, and anti-oppressive approach. Health care providers promote a culture that is compassionate, trauma informed, unbiased, and respectful of people's diversity. They build trust with people with an eating disorder and their families and caregivers, work to remove barriers to accessing care, and provide care equitably.
Quality Statement 9: Care for People Who Are Not Receiving Active Treatment
People with an eating disorder who are not receiving active treatment are offered medical monitoring, support, and follow-up that meets their needs and preferences
Supporting Documents
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Patient guide for this quality standard
Know what to ask for in your care
Caregiver guide for this quality standard
Know what to ask for if you are caring for someone
Placemat for this quality standard
A quick-reference resource for clinicians that summarizes the quality standard and includes links to helpful resources and tools
Quality improvement tools and resources for health care professionals, including an action plan template
Supplementary information to support the data collection and measurement process
Additional Resources
If you would like to receive these resources, please send us a message using our contact form:
- Case for improvement (slide deck)
Share why this standard was created and the data behind it, to get the support you need to put it into practice - Technical specifications
See the technical specifications for the indicators within the quality standard - Summary of the public feedback we received
- Case for improvement (slide deck)
Last Updated: February 24, 2026
