Transitions for youth and young adults with eating disorders and/or other mental health conditions: a Canadian guideline
Abstract Background Eating disorders (EDs) are severe mental illnesses with high rates of mortality, morbidity, and reduced quality of life. Their onset occurs during adolescence and early adulthood, coinciding with the critical transition from pediatric to adult care. To address the lack of guideli...
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2025-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Eating Disorders |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01343-6 |
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| author | Gina Dimitropoulos Maria Nicula Andrea Krishnapillai Amelia Austin Manya Singh Jayden Lee Cheryl Webb Sela Scott Ana Cláudia Vieira de Almeida Clara Bergmann Heidi Vander Steen Melissa Kimber Christopher Mushquash Lia Norman Jessica Sauerwein Aaron Keshen Ahmed Boachie Alène Toulany Andrea Levinson Anita Federici Brooke Allemang Catherine Ford Debra K. Katzman Emily Tam Gail McVey Howard Steiger Jennifer Scarborough Jennifer S. Coelho Jennifer Thannhauser Josie Geller Karleigh Darnay Jo Henderson Katherine Bright Katie Soper Leanna Isserlin Linda Booij Melissa Brouwers Michele Laliberté Monique Jericho Nicole Obeid Sarah Smith Seena Grewal Shauna MacEachern Sheri Findlay Wendy Preskow Wendy Spettigue Aryel Maharaj Lori Wozney Srividya Iyer Mark Norris Helen Vallianatos Shaleen Jones Emilie Lacroix Manuela Ferrari Cathleen Steinegger Techiya Loewen Joanne Gusella Anick LeClerc Natasha Johnson Suzanne Phillips Megan Patton Zoya Punjwani Katelyn Greer Neera Bhatnagar Jennifer Couturier |
| author_facet | Gina Dimitropoulos Maria Nicula Andrea Krishnapillai Amelia Austin Manya Singh Jayden Lee Cheryl Webb Sela Scott Ana Cláudia Vieira de Almeida Clara Bergmann Heidi Vander Steen Melissa Kimber Christopher Mushquash Lia Norman Jessica Sauerwein Aaron Keshen Ahmed Boachie Alène Toulany Andrea Levinson Anita Federici Brooke Allemang Catherine Ford Debra K. Katzman Emily Tam Gail McVey Howard Steiger Jennifer Scarborough Jennifer S. Coelho Jennifer Thannhauser Josie Geller Karleigh Darnay Jo Henderson Katherine Bright Katie Soper Leanna Isserlin Linda Booij Melissa Brouwers Michele Laliberté Monique Jericho Nicole Obeid Sarah Smith Seena Grewal Shauna MacEachern Sheri Findlay Wendy Preskow Wendy Spettigue Aryel Maharaj Lori Wozney Srividya Iyer Mark Norris Helen Vallianatos Shaleen Jones Emilie Lacroix Manuela Ferrari Cathleen Steinegger Techiya Loewen Joanne Gusella Anick LeClerc Natasha Johnson Suzanne Phillips Megan Patton Zoya Punjwani Katelyn Greer Neera Bhatnagar Jennifer Couturier |
| author_sort | Gina Dimitropoulos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Eating disorders (EDs) are severe mental illnesses with high rates of mortality, morbidity, and reduced quality of life. Their onset occurs during adolescence and early adulthood, coinciding with the critical transition from pediatric to adult care. To address the lack of guidelines to support ED transitions in Canada, this study developed evidence-based guideline recommendations. Methods Scoping review methodology was employed using comprehensive searches across seven databases, supplemented by forward and backward citation chaining to identify records on youth and young adults (YYAs) (16–25 years) with EDs and/or mental health conditions transitioning from pediatric to adult care. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to evaluate the quality of the evidence for applicable studies. Using a modified Delphi method, the evidence was reviewed by a guideline development panel and consensus was achieved in a single round of voting. Results After de-duplication, 14,350 records from all sources were screened, with 1817 studies undergoing full-text review. A total of 419 studies were included. Of these, 199 were primary research studies which fell under one or more of the following categories: descriptive (n = 86), qualitative (n = 75), predictors (n = 48), transition interventions (n = 21), measurement tools (n = 8), and key outcomes (n = 3). The certainty of the evidence for specific interventions and tools was generally low. Recommendations The panel issued strong recommendations for integrated, collaborative transition approaches involving YYAs, families, and providers, and for the use of the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) to support transition planning. Additional recommendations are included, with an emphasis on future research focused on long-term outcomes such as care continuity and treatment retention. Conclusion This research addressed the absence of a cohesive approach to transitions for YYAs experiencing EDs and/or mental health conditions, highlighting evidence variability and the need for a unified approach. These guidelines propose actionable steps for improving care transitions for YYAs with EDs and/or mental health conditions by promoting collaborative care models, prioritizing outcome-focused research, and using measurement tools. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3ac87cff3a0a4c8799b83ac4ea1120a7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2050-2974 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Eating Disorders |
| spelling | doaj-art-3ac87cff3a0a4c8799b83ac4ea1120a72025-08-20T03:04:15ZengBMCJournal of Eating Disorders2050-29742025-07-0113112710.1186/s40337-025-01343-6Transitions for youth and young adults with eating disorders and/or other mental health conditions: a Canadian guidelineGina Dimitropoulos0Maria Nicula1Andrea Krishnapillai2Amelia Austin3Manya Singh4Jayden Lee5Cheryl Webb6Sela Scott7Ana Cláudia Vieira de Almeida8Clara Bergmann9Heidi Vander Steen10Melissa Kimber11Christopher Mushquash12Lia Norman13Jessica Sauerwein14Aaron Keshen15Ahmed Boachie16Alène Toulany17Andrea Levinson18Anita Federici19Brooke Allemang20Catherine Ford21Debra K. Katzman22Emily Tam23Gail McVey24Howard Steiger25Jennifer Scarborough26Jennifer S. Coelho27Jennifer Thannhauser28Josie Geller29Karleigh Darnay30Jo Henderson31Katherine Bright32Katie Soper33Leanna Isserlin34Linda Booij35Melissa Brouwers36Michele Laliberté37Monique Jericho38Nicole Obeid39Sarah Smith40Seena Grewal41Shauna MacEachernSheri Findlay42Wendy Preskow43Wendy Spettigue44Aryel Maharaj45Lori Wozney46Srividya Iyer47Mark Norris48Helen Vallianatos49Shaleen Jones50Emilie Lacroix51Manuela Ferrari52Cathleen Steinegger53Techiya Loewen54Joanne Gusella55Anick LeClerc56Natasha Johnson57Suzanne Phillips58Megan Patton59Zoya Punjwani60Katelyn Greer61Neera Bhatnagar62Jennifer Couturier63Faculty of Social Work, University of CalgaryDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of CalgaryDepartment of Psychiatry, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of CalgaryDepartment of Psychiatry, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of CalgaryDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of CalgaryDepartment of Psychiatry, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of CalgaryDepartment of Psychiatry, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of CalgaryDepartment of Psychiatry, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of CalgaryDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster UniversityDepartment of Psychology, Lakehead UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of CalgaryDepartment of Psychiatry, Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, University of CalgaryEating Disorder Provincial Service, Nova Scotia HealthDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoCenter for Psychology and Emotion RegulationChild Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick ChildrenUniversity Health NetworkDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoNational Eating Disorder Information CentreUniversity Health NetworkDepartment of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityWaterloo Regional Health NetworkProvincial Specialized Eating Disorders Program for Children and Adolescents, BC Children’s HospitalStudent Wellness Services, University of CalgaryDepartment of Psychiatry, University of British ColumbiaCentre for Addiction and Mental HealthDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Community, and Education, Mount Royal UniversityCalgary Eating Disorder Program, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Alberta Health ServicesDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa and Children’s Hospital of Eastern OntarioDepartment of Psychiatry, McGill UniversitySchool of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of OttawaDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster UniversityCalgary Eating Disorder Program, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Alberta Health ServicesDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa and Children’s Hospital of Eastern OntarioDepartment of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of TorontoProvincial Specialized Eating Disorders Program for Children and Adolescents, BC Children’s HospitalDivision of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, McMaster UniversityNational Initiative for Eating DisordersDepartment of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa and Children’s Hospital of Eastern OntarioNational Eating Disorder Information CentreCentre for Research in Family Health, Izaak Walton Killam (IWK) Health CentreDepartment of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityChildren’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research InstituteDepartment of Anthropology, University of AlbertaEating Disorders Nova ScotiaDepartment of Psychology, University of New BrunswickDepartment of Psychiatry, McGill UniversityDivision of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of TorontoLived Experience AdvisorDepartment of Psychiatry, Dalhousie UniversityEating Disorder Program, McMaster Children’s HospitalNational Initiative for Eating DisordersNational Eating Disorder Information CentreDepartment of Pediatrics, University of CalgaryFaculty of Medicine, University of CalgaryAlberta Strategy for Patient Oriented Research Support UnitFaculty of Health Sciences, McMaster UniversityDepartment of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster UniversityAbstract Background Eating disorders (EDs) are severe mental illnesses with high rates of mortality, morbidity, and reduced quality of life. Their onset occurs during adolescence and early adulthood, coinciding with the critical transition from pediatric to adult care. To address the lack of guidelines to support ED transitions in Canada, this study developed evidence-based guideline recommendations. Methods Scoping review methodology was employed using comprehensive searches across seven databases, supplemented by forward and backward citation chaining to identify records on youth and young adults (YYAs) (16–25 years) with EDs and/or mental health conditions transitioning from pediatric to adult care. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to evaluate the quality of the evidence for applicable studies. Using a modified Delphi method, the evidence was reviewed by a guideline development panel and consensus was achieved in a single round of voting. Results After de-duplication, 14,350 records from all sources were screened, with 1817 studies undergoing full-text review. A total of 419 studies were included. Of these, 199 were primary research studies which fell under one or more of the following categories: descriptive (n = 86), qualitative (n = 75), predictors (n = 48), transition interventions (n = 21), measurement tools (n = 8), and key outcomes (n = 3). The certainty of the evidence for specific interventions and tools was generally low. Recommendations The panel issued strong recommendations for integrated, collaborative transition approaches involving YYAs, families, and providers, and for the use of the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) to support transition planning. Additional recommendations are included, with an emphasis on future research focused on long-term outcomes such as care continuity and treatment retention. Conclusion This research addressed the absence of a cohesive approach to transitions for YYAs experiencing EDs and/or mental health conditions, highlighting evidence variability and the need for a unified approach. These guidelines propose actionable steps for improving care transitions for YYAs with EDs and/or mental health conditions by promoting collaborative care models, prioritizing outcome-focused research, and using measurement tools.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01343-6TransitionEating disordersInterdisciplinary careMental illnessInterventionsKey outcomes |
| spellingShingle | Gina Dimitropoulos Maria Nicula Andrea Krishnapillai Amelia Austin Manya Singh Jayden Lee Cheryl Webb Sela Scott Ana Cláudia Vieira de Almeida Clara Bergmann Heidi Vander Steen Melissa Kimber Christopher Mushquash Lia Norman Jessica Sauerwein Aaron Keshen Ahmed Boachie Alène Toulany Andrea Levinson Anita Federici Brooke Allemang Catherine Ford Debra K. Katzman Emily Tam Gail McVey Howard Steiger Jennifer Scarborough Jennifer S. Coelho Jennifer Thannhauser Josie Geller Karleigh Darnay Jo Henderson Katherine Bright Katie Soper Leanna Isserlin Linda Booij Melissa Brouwers Michele Laliberté Monique Jericho Nicole Obeid Sarah Smith Seena Grewal Shauna MacEachern Sheri Findlay Wendy Preskow Wendy Spettigue Aryel Maharaj Lori Wozney Srividya Iyer Mark Norris Helen Vallianatos Shaleen Jones Emilie Lacroix Manuela Ferrari Cathleen Steinegger Techiya Loewen Joanne Gusella Anick LeClerc Natasha Johnson Suzanne Phillips Megan Patton Zoya Punjwani Katelyn Greer Neera Bhatnagar Jennifer Couturier Transitions for youth and young adults with eating disorders and/or other mental health conditions: a Canadian guideline Journal of Eating Disorders Transition Eating disorders Interdisciplinary care Mental illness Interventions Key outcomes |
| title | Transitions for youth and young adults with eating disorders and/or other mental health conditions: a Canadian guideline |
| title_full | Transitions for youth and young adults with eating disorders and/or other mental health conditions: a Canadian guideline |
| title_fullStr | Transitions for youth and young adults with eating disorders and/or other mental health conditions: a Canadian guideline |
| title_full_unstemmed | Transitions for youth and young adults with eating disorders and/or other mental health conditions: a Canadian guideline |
| title_short | Transitions for youth and young adults with eating disorders and/or other mental health conditions: a Canadian guideline |
| title_sort | transitions for youth and young adults with eating disorders and or other mental health conditions a canadian guideline |
| topic | Transition Eating disorders Interdisciplinary care Mental illness Interventions Key outcomes |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-025-01343-6 |
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