Eating disorder care pathways in Belgium

Overview

Getting oriented

Guide to the different levels of eating disorder care available in Belgium for children, adolescents, young adults and the professionals who support them.

Networks

Networks & services

List of reference centers and SMEA networks.

Reference centers

Centre de Référence Académique de Bruxelles pour les TCA (CRAB - TCA) - La Ramée/Saint-Luc
- 0 à 13 ans : Centre Atacama — Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc
- 13 à 24 ans : Clinique La Ramée, Epsylon
Clinique des troubles des conduites alimentaires au CHC MontLégia
Centre de Référence Suprarégional des Troubles Alimentaires - Centre Hospitalier Le Domaine
Centre de Référence Supra-Régional pour les Troubles du comportement alimentaire (TCA) chez les jeunes - HUB Bruxelles (Erasme et HUDERF)
Eetkliniek van het UZ Brussel
ZAS UKJA (Anvers) — Referentiecentrum Eetstoornissen
Eetherstel (Alexianen Tienen)
Referentiecentrum Eetstoornissen (UPC KU Leuven)
Referentiecentrum voor eetstoornissen (UZ Gent)

Choose a region

See the full list of networks

Indicative list from the SMEA networks. Check each site for up-to-date information.

BRU-STARS — Brussels. BRU-STARS is the SMEA network for Brussels. It coordinates guidance, information, and local resources for children and adolescents.
ARCHIPEL — Walloon Brabant. ARCHIPEL is the SMEA network for Walloon Brabant. It coordinates guidance, information, and local resources for children and adolescents.
RHESEAU — Hainaut. RHESEAU is the SMEA network for Hainaut. It coordinates guidance, information, and local resources for children and adolescents.
KIRIKOU — Namur. KIRIKOU is the SMEA network for Namur. It coordinates guidance, information, and local resources for children and adolescents.
REALISM — Liege. REALISM is the SMEA network for Liege. It coordinates guidance, information, and local resources for children and adolescents.
MATILDA — Luxembourg. MATILDA is the SMEA network for Luxembourg. It coordinates guidance, information, and local resources for children and adolescents.
YUNECO — Flemish Brabant. YUNECO is the SMEA network for Flemish Brabant. It coordinates guidance, information, and local resources for children and adolescents.
LIGANT — Limburg. LIGANT is the SMEA network for Limburg. It coordinates guidance, information, and local resources for children and adolescents.
PANGG — Antwerp. PANGG is the SMEA network for Antwerp. It coordinates guidance, information, and local resources for children and adolescents.
RADAR — East Flanders. RADAR is the SMEA network for East Flanders. It coordinates guidance, information, and local resources for children and adolescents.
WINGG — West Flanders. WINGG is the SMEA network for West Flanders. It coordinates guidance, information, and local resources for children and adolescents.

Share and refer

A resource for families and professionals

For families and patients

This page helps people understand who to contact, even when they do not yet know where to start.

It makes it easier to identify the SMEA network linked to the person’s region.
It summarises the levels of care, from consultations to reference centres.
It can be used before a first appointment, after hospital care, or when different professionals need a common orientation tool.
It also explains what to do for adults aged 24+ when there is no specific pathway.

For professionals and networks

This page can be used as a referral, coordination, or communication support.

GPs, psychologists, dietitians, schools, youth services, social workers, and mutualities can rely on it.
It gathers reference centres, levels of care, and the 0–23 reimbursed pathway in one place.
It is suitable for newsletters, resource pages, news posts, or partner areas.

Pathway diagram

Levels of care

We start with first-line care, then SMEA networks reinforce follow-up if needed, before reference centres for complex situations.

Consultation-based care (1st line)

Appointments with a clear, tailored plan.

A multidisciplinary consultation bringing together a GP, a psychologist, and a specialised dietitian.

Reinforced follow-up via SMEA networks (2nd line)

Reinforcement and support for consultation-based care.

If needed, consultations can be complemented by other supports (groups, TMF, …).

Specialized reference centers (3rd line)

Severe or complex situations.

Access to a specialised team for complex situations.

24+

For ages 24+

For adults, there is no specific care pathway. If in doubt:

Make an appointment with your GP to talk it through and be referred if needed (for example to a psychiatrist).
Make an appointment with a psychologist and a dietitian specialised in eating disorders.
Specialised inpatient care also exists for adults when the situation requires it.

In a life-threatening emergency, go to the emergency department.

Useful distribution

When to share this page

This page is worth sharing when…

When to share this page

a family needs to know quickly where to turn in Belgium ;
a young person is already receiving care but the local network remains unclear ;
a professional wants to refer without rebuilding the whole care map ;
a school, association, or mutuality wants to publish a reliable orientation resource.

How to refer in practice

In practice, referral can follow this simple path:

1. Review the situation with the GP, paediatrician, or another trusted first-line professional.
2. Arrange a specialised consultation with a psychologist and/or a dietitian specialised in eating disorders.
3. Identify the regional SMEA/GGKJ network to strengthen care for ages 0–23.
4. Turn to a reference centre when the situation is severe, complex, or needs supra-regional expertise.

Key takeaways

Start with a consultation to set a clear plan.
SMEA networks reinforce care when needed.
Reference centers support complex situations.
If unsure, asking for guidance is the first step.

Shareable resources

Download the one-page guide to pass on to a family, network, or partner.

Download the FR one-page guide Download the NL one-page guide

These files point back to the canonical care pathways page so the information can stay up to date.

Official sources

What is this page for?

This page provides a clear overview of eating disorder care pathways in Belgium. It helps families and professionals understand the levels of care, identify the most relevant network or reference center, and find practical downloadable resources that are easy to share.

Understand how the Belgian care pathway is structured.
Identify the most relevant network, center, or level of care.
Download practical resources to share in French or Dutch.

The downloadable guides are designed to support referrals, coordination, and family orientation.