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 |  ResearchLaureate’s Eating Disorders Program stands as a Center of Excellence for both treatment and research in the field of eating disorders. Dr Craig Johnson, Founder and Director, has been an international leader in eating disorders research since 1979. He has authored and co-authored over 70 publications, including 3 books. The published works of Dr. Ovidio Bermudez, Program Medical Director, serve as guides for the treatment of both eating disorders and associated medical conditions. Leah Graves, RD/LD, Director of Nutrition Therapy, has also published articles that have influenced the direction of nutritional rehabilitation in the treatment of eating disorders. Highlighted Research Contributions National Collegiate Athletic Association Study on Eating Disorders - Dr Johnson was awarded the opportunity to collaborate with the NCAA to investigate the nature and extent of Eating Disorders among Division I athletes across the US. Results of the study prompted the NCCA, IOC and various other amateur athletic organizations (including USA Gymnastics and the US Tennis Association) to develop guidelines for early detection and prevention of eating disorders. Laureate’s treatment program has both expertise and sensitivity to the unique recovery challenges faced by athletes. Genetics and Eating Disorders - Dr. Johnson has been a Principal Investigator with the Genetics Collaborative Group, a consortium of 10 international sites in genetics research, of which Laureate is an affiliated site. With funding from both the National Institute of Mental Health and the Price Foundation, this group has clearly established that eating disorders are genetically mediated, as has been found with other mental illnesses like depression and anxiety disorders. Research is continuing in hopes of finding specific biological interventions that will lead to more effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Medical and Nutritional Treatment - Dr Bermudez has published and lectured extensively regarding medical management of eating disorders. He has led the field in the development of guidelines regarding the treatment of patients with co-existing eating disorders and diabetes. He and Dr. Johnson have also participated in funded research investigating pharmacological interventions for osteoporosis and binge eating disorder. Leah Graves, RD/LD, has also published articles and lectured widely regarding the challenges of nutritional rehabilitation with eating disordered patients. Dr Bermudez and Ms Graves’ expertise, developed through both research and clinical experience, allows the program to safely treat patients with more severe medical problems. Treatment Effectiveness and Outcome - Dr Johnson collaborated with the Office of Women’s Health obtaining support from the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a review of evidence-based treatments and outcomes in the field of eating disorders. From this work, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality was awarded a grant to pursue study. In 2006 they published their findings, which demonstrated that eating disorders were highly lethal illnesses but that evidence-based treatments were generally lacking. These alarming conclusions prompted increased awareness of the need for more research into effective treatment of eating disorders. Laureate Outcomes and Genetics Initiative - In 2004, the Warren Medical Research Foundation committed long-term support to the Laureate Eating Disorders Program to assess outcomes and course of illness for patients treated in our program. Patients participate in a comprehensive structured assessment which establishes primary and secondary diagnoses, complete a variety of self-report measures, and provide a DNA sample. Patients are re-interviewed to evaluate progress at discharge and one year follow-up. This sophisticated database provides critical information for the program and the field at-large to evaluate treatment and predict outcomes. Behavioral Family Therapy vs. Systemic Family Therapy: A National Institute of Mental Health Funded Collaborative Study - Behavioral Family Therapy (also known as the Maudsley approach) for adolescents experiencing anorexia nervosa has produced impressive recovery rates. Dr. Johnson and Dr Bermudez served as Co-Principal Investigators on this grant comparing the effectiveness of Behavioral Family Therapy to another form of family therapy. In addition, the study will offer information about the effectiveness of the treatment method when it is more broadly disseminated. Prevention: The Tulsa Junior League Project - Dr. Johnson, Leah Graves, and the Tulsa Junior League collaborated on the first large-scale effort to administer an evidence-based prevention program that was delivered by non-clinicians. Using the “Full of Ourselves” program developed by Catherine Steiner-Adair at Harvard University, approximately 20 Junior League members were trained to deliver the curriculum to girls at 6 local middle schools, where it was presented weekly for 12 weeks during school hours. Pre-intervention, post-intervention and one year follow-up data was collected as well. The experience was well-regarded by the Junior League, the participating schools, and the Laureate research group.
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