Our Beliefs - F.E.A.S.T.

What We Believe

F.E.A.S.T. is the only global community focused on empowering parents as caregivers and promoting evidence-based treatment of eating disorders. We are inclusive of many kinds of families with a wide range of experiences, and we are strong believers in family involvement in treatment. We believe in educating and teaching skills to parents because we believe patients deserve that support and thrive when their families support them. We believe in the power of peer support. We believe all eating disorder diagnoses are treatable to full health. We believe treatment and treatment providers should be guided by evidence and ongoing training, and we celebrate the eating disorder specialists who support our families.

F.E.A.S.T. Core Tenets

Full recovery is possible.
No one chooses to have an eating disorder.
Eating disorders are biologically driven brain disorders with a genetic component.
For many, negative energy balance (expending more energy than you consume) can trigger eating disorders and can be a risk factor for relapse in those who are vulnerable due to genetic/biological factors.
Fat phobia is present in society at large and can trigger unhealthy eating behaviors and be a barrier to full recovery.
The eating disorder thoughts, worries, and behaviors can take a while to heal after physical recovery.

Treatment should first focus on full nutrition; all foods fit and have a role in recovery.<br><br>
Co-morbid mental health conditions often occur with eating disorders (autism spectrum disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder, particularly); they may make treatment more challenging and may also resolve to a greater or lesser degree once the patient is fully nourished.
Emphasis should be on restoring health and function, not just hitting a target weight; weight goals will change, especially in growing children and teens.
Patients will rarely leave a treatment facility recovered; they and their caregivers must be educated on how to continue treatment to achieve full recovery.
In most cases, caregivers should be included in treatment; a key role of the treatment team is educating and empowering caregivers.

Caregivers are a vital part of the treatment team – they do not cause eating disorders, and can be integral to their loved one’s recovery.
Caregivers should be encouraged to ask questions to evaluate the quality of the treatment their loved one is receiving.
Caregivers should be given knowledge, power, and support to participate in the treatment of their loved one.
While caregivers may not be experts about eating disorders, they are experts on their own child, and their insight as such can be very valuable to the treatment team.

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What We Believe

F.E.A.S.T. Core Tenets

Understanding of Eating Disorders

Treatment Approach

Caregiver Role

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