Classification of child and adolescent eating disturbances. Workgroup for Classification of Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents (WCEDCA).
OBJECTIVE
: The purpose of this article is to summarize major conceptual and clinical variables related to age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate classification of eating problems and disorders in children and adolescents.


METHODS
A review of current classifications and related literature in child development is provided. Problems with current classification schemes are identified and discussed.


RESULTS
Current classifications are inadequate to address the clinical and research needs of children and adolescents with eating disturbances and disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
A range of possible changes in classification strategies for eating disorders in children and adolescents are described.
Bravender
T
T
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, CA 94305, USA.
Bryant-Waugh
R
R
Herzog
D
D
Katzman
D
D
Kreipe
R D
RD
Lask
B
B
Le Grange
D
D
Lock
J
J
Loeb
K
K
Madden
S
S
Nicholls
D
D
O'Toole
J
J
Pinhas
L
L
Rome
E
E
Sokol-Burger
M
M
Wallen
U
U
Zucker
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans