New Eating Disorder Center Opens Near Boston University

Image of the new center provided.

It’s National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Feb. 23rd through March 1st) and the purpose is to raise awareness about the life-threatening illnesses. The Renfrew Center, which was the nation’s first residential eating disorder treatment facility, opened it’s first Boston location (the company’s 14th nationwide) just west of Kenmore Square near Boston University. It’s outpatient and women only. 

According to company reps, Renfrew first came to the Boston area last October when the company hosted a seminar on the types of eating disorders affecting Jewish women. The program, titled “Feasting and Fasting: The Ups and Downs of Eating Issues in the Jewish Community,” covered a rise in incidence, evaluation, treatment, and the exploration of Jewish women and their mothers. The success of the program led Renfrew to believe that there was a need for more in the Boston market. 

The new site specializes in the treatment of anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating disorder, and related mental illnesses. “We are excited to bring our expertise to the Boston area,” said Samuel E. Menaged, founder and president of The Renfrew Centers. “We received feedback from the public and professionals, and observed an overwhelming demand for services, that made opening this site the obvious next step in empowering women to take back their lives.”

The Renfrew Center; 870R Commonwealth Avenue; 800-736-3739; renfrewcenter.com

The Cambridge Eating Disorder Center has programs for both men and women. For men, it’s outpatient only:

Cambridge Eating Disorder Center; 3 Bow Street; 617-547-2255; eatingdisordercenter.org

Boston’s hospitals such as Boston Children’s and Mass General also have outpatient eating disorder treatment options.