Individuals with Eating Disorders’ Perspectives on a Meal Preparation Intervention

AbstractMeal preparation interventions involve people actively cooking food item(s). This study sought to add to the minimal literature by researching patients’ perceptions of the effectiveness of occupational therapy meal preparation activities in preparing them for lower levels of care. Participants engaged in meal preparation groups as part of standard occupational therapy treatment. Quantitative and qualitative data were concurrently analyzed using an embedded mixed-methods approach. Many participants (72%) felt prepared to transition to a lower level of care because of the meal preparation groups. These groups appear to offer critical and beneficial experiential learning for individuals in treatment for eating disorders.Keywords: Eating disorder(s)eatingoccupational therapyoccupational therapistmeal preparationexposure AcknowledgementsThe authors thank all participants who willingly provided feedback to the occupational therapy department, thus helping to improve patient care and continue facilitating occupational therapy’s efforts in supporting individuals with EDs on their journeys to recovery. The authors would also like to extend gratitude to Robert W. Walsh, DBH, OTR/L, BCMH for his encouragement throughout the writing process, as well as his willingness to review the manuscript and problem-solve barriers.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThe author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.