title: Mealtimes on eating disorder wards: a two-study investigation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This research had two aims. First, to assess the current mealtime practices within UK eating disorders units. Second, to investigate staff perspectives of these mealtimes, including their involvement and understanding of patients' experience.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study 1 involved a survey to assess mealtime protocols across 22 eating disorders units. In Study 2, sixteen semistructured interviews were conducted with staff at three eating disorders units.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between and within-unit variation exist regarding the implementation of mealtimes. Thematic analysis revealed that staff perceived their provision of mealtimes to be influenced by their own interpersonal difficulties created by the meals. Additionally, they perceived that these issues could be aided by forward planning, successful teamwork, and focused staff training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a need for specialized mealtime implementation training. Furthermore, research is required to evaluate current mealtime practices from patient perspectives and to determine the impact of modified mealtime approaches on treatment outcome.
authors.affiliation: University Centre for Research into Eating Disorders, Brockington Building Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK.
authors.forename: Stacey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: Deborah J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Wallis
authors.forename: Newman
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arcelus
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D005521:Food Service, Hospital; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires