What are the recommended first-line treatment options for adolescents with anorexia nervosa in primary care?

In primary care, first-line treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa involves providing support and care, including psychoeducation about the disorder, monitoring weight, mental and physical health, and risk factors, in a multidisciplinary and coordinated manner with specialist services. ¹

It is important to aim for helping the adolescent reach a healthy body weight or BMI for their age, as weight gain supports psychological, physical, and quality of life improvements.

Monitoring should include regular weight checks, assessment of physical health, and mental health, with consideration of sharing weight results with the adolescent and their family if appropriate.

Dietary advice should be part of a multidisciplinary approach, encouraging age-appropriate nutritional intake and possibly supplementing with vitamins and minerals until dietary needs are met.

Family members or carers should be involved in dietary education or meal planning if the adolescent is receiving therapy alone.

Medication is not recommended as a sole treatment for anorexia nervosa in adolescents.

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