Reward Systems and Food Avoidance in Eating Disorders

Low Weight ED Patients Inclusion criteria: * Females, * Adolescents ages 12-18, * Speak English, * Seeking treatment * Refusal to maintain greater than minimally low body weight based on BMI for age percentiles and growth trajectories, * Clinically significant restriction of food intake on the dietary restraint subscale of the EDE or evidence of persistent food avoidance as reported by patient or guardians. * Given medical clearance from pediatrician or equivalent. Exclusion criteria: * Current psychotropic medication that would have an effect on performance on behavioral tasks (i.e., anti-anxiety medication), * Comorbid psychotic or bipolar disorder, * Active suicidal ideation, * Major medical illness known to influence eating or weight, * Current substance dependence, * Previous exposure therapy for LW-ED. * Physical limitation that would prevent participation (e.g., allergic to chocolate), * For patients with current or a history of sexual or physical abuse by parents, siblings, or guardians, perpetrators of the abuse will be excluded from treatment; if physical or sexual abuse by a family member occurs during the course of treatment, perpetrators will be excluded from ongoing treatment Healthy Comparison Adolescents Inclusion criteria: * Females, * Adolescents ages 12-18, * Speak English. Exclusion criteria: * Current psychotropic medication that would have an effect on performance on behavioral tasks (i.e., stimulant medication), * Current or lifetime history of…