About this course

Learning Objectives

• Describe the biological, genetic, and environmental factors that contribute to the development and maintenance of eating disorders.
• Identify common medical complications associated with malnutrition, specifically regarding bone health and electrolyte imbalances.
• Differentiate between "disordered eating" and a diagnosable "eating disorder" based on functional impairment and medical compromise.
• Describe the "multidisciplinary team" model required for eating disorder treatment, including the specific roles of medical, psychiatric, and dietary professionals.

Course Instructor(s)

• 

  Elizabeth Wassenaar, MS, MD, DFAPA, CEDS-S

  Regional Medical Director, Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood and Anxiety

  Dr. Elizabeth Wassenaar is the Regional Medical Director for the Mountain and West regions at Eating Recovery Center and Pathlight Mood & Anxiety Center. Dr. Wassenaar grew up in central Iowa, where her early fascination with the intricacies of human behavior led her to pursue a graduate degree in Pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania. After earning her master’s, she transitioned to medical school at Thomas Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Dr. Wassenaar completed her residency in a unique triple board program, encompassing Pediatrics, Adult Psychiatry, and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Her commitment to deepening her expertise in psychotherapy has included extensive training in psychodynamic approaches and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Before joining her current role, Dr. Wassenaar served as medical director at a residential treatment facility in Cincinnati, where she integrated diagnostic evaluations with comprehensive psychiatric care. She is board certified in Obesity Medicine and is a certified Eating Disorder Specialist Supervisor, highlighting her dedication to providing informed and compassionate care to those she serves.

References

• López-Gil, J. F., García-Hermoso, A., Smith, L., Firth, J., Trott, M., Mesas, A. E., Jiménez-López, E., Gutiérrez-Espinoza, H., Tárraga-López, P. J., & Victoria-Montesinos, D. (2023). Global proportion of disordered eating in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 177(4), 363. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2022.5848
• Feng, B., Harms, J., Chen, E., Gao, P., Xu, P., & He, Y. (2023). Current Discoveries and Future Implications of Eating Disorders. International journal of environmental research and public health, 20(14), 6325. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20146325
• Todisco, P., & Meneguzzo, P. (2024). Understanding bone density loss in eating disorders: Contributions of weight suppression and speed of weight loss. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(24), 7537. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13247537
• Mao, L., Wang, L., Huang, Z., Chen, J.-K., Tucker, L., & Zhang, Q. (2026). Comprehensive insights into emerging advances in the Neurobiology of anorexia. Journal of Advanced Research, 79, 343–362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jare.2025.03.046
• Smith, A. R., Zuromski, K. L., & Dodd, D. R. (2018). Eating disorders and suicidality: what we know, what we don't know, and suggestions for future research. Current opinion in psychology, 22, 63–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.08.023