A school psychologist\u27s role in decreasing eating disorder prevalence in school-aged children

Eating disorders have dramatically increased over the last 20 years, resulting in prevalence rates exceeding other high-incidence medical conditions treated in the educational setting. Chapter 2 presents a review of literature covering eating disorder identification, history, prevalence and epidemiological data. Theoretical perspectives, risk and protective factors, symptoms, and medical complications are also reviewed. Current assessment measures used for screening and diagnosing anorexia and bulimia is additionally presented along with a summary of school-based primary prevention programs. The second chapter concludes with a brief overview of eating disorder treatment. A summary is presented in chapter 3 along with implications for school psychologists. Suggestions for school psychologists include utilizing education, valid assessment procedures, and primary prevention programs at the elementary and secondary educational levels