title: From questions to answers: Examining the role of pediatric surveillance units in eating disorder research.
abstract: Pediatric Surveillance Units (PSUs) provide a unique model for the study of pediatric eating disorders (EDs). Australia, Britain, and Canada have surveillance programs that have generated valuable epidemiological and clinical data on early-onset eating disorders (EOED). The PSUs represent an important collaborative tool that has helped shape our understanding of EOEDs and offers potential to contribute to decisions regarding health resource allocation and public health policy. This paper reviews the role of PSUs as a unique model to study pediatric EDs and its success in translating the knowledge generated by these programs into improving the health of children and adolescents with EDs worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, Senior Associate Scientist, Research Institute, Director, Health Science Research, Undergraduate Medical Education, University of Toronto School of Medicine, Canada.
authors.forename: Debra K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Katzman
authors.affiliation: Head of Department, Eating Disorders, The Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Clinical Lecturer, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Sloane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.affiliation: Feeding and Eating Disorders Service, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Honorary Senior Lecturer, UCL Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Dasha
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nicholls
authors.affiliation: Division of Adolescent Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Canada.
authors.forename: Karizma
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mawjee
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) and the University of Ottawa, Clinical Investigator, CHEO Research Institute, Canada.
authors.forename: Mark L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Norris
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002654:Child Care / Q000379:methods*; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024382:Professional Role; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: adolescents; children; clinical care; early-onset eating disorders; eating disorders; epidemiology; pediatric surveillance; public health policy