To investigate fractures history in women with first episode anorexia nervosa (AN) (FE-AN: ≤ 3 years duration) and those with persistent AN (P-AN: ≥ 7 years), compared to healthy controls (HC).

One hundred nineteen women (FE-AN = 49, P-AN = 46 and HC = 24) completed online questionnaires on eating disorders symptoms, their menstrual and their fracture history.

Average illness duration was 1.9 years (SD = 0.8) in FE-AN and 15.3 years (SD = 8.5) in P-AN. Lifetime history of all fractures, including stress fractures, was higher in AN groups (FE-AN = 33.3%; P-AN = 37.8%) than in HC (4.2%, p < 0.001). P-AN participants were 13.4 times more likely to report a fracture compared to HC, irrespective of age, whereas F-AN participants were 10.3 times more likely. In P-AN, higher BMI, shorter duration of amenorrhoea and history of pregnancy were inversely associated with fracture number.

There is an increased risk of bone fracture even in the early stages of AN. This could be related to a time lapse between the initial symptoms of AN and formal diagnosis. This suggests guidelines recommending bone screening after 2-years of persistent low weight for adults should be revisited, and the risk of bone problems should be part of the dialogue between clinicians, patients and carers at the earliest opportunity.

Eating disorders are characterized by disturbances in eating behavior and occur worldwide, with a lifetime prevalence of 2% to 5%. They are more common among females than males and may be associated with medical and psychiatric complications, impaired functioning, and decreased quality of life.

Common eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder. These disorders may be associated with changes in weight, electrolyte abnormalities (eg, hyponatremia, hypokalemia), bradycardia, disturbances in reproductive hormones (eg, decreased estradiol levels in females), and decreased bone density. Individuals with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder have high lifetime rates of depression (76.3% for bulimia nervosa, 65.5% for binge-eating disorder, and 49.5% for anorexia nervosa) and higher rates of suicide attempts than those without eating disorders. Anorexia nervosa is associated with a mortality rate of 5.1 deaths per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 4.0-6.1), nearly 6 times higher than that of individuals of the same age without anorexia nervosa; 25% of deaths among individuals with anorexia nervosa are from suicide. First-line treatments for eating disorders include nutritional support, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy. Behaviorally focused therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, may be effective, especially for bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder. Youth with anorexia nervosa benefit from family-based treatment with parental oversight of eating, resulting in a remission rate at 6 to 12 months of 48.6% vs 34.3% with individual treatment (odds ratio, 2.08; 95% CI, 1.07-4.03; P = .03). Fluoxetine and other antidepressants decrease episodes of binge eating in individuals with bulimia nervosa, even in those without depression (fluoxetine vs placebo, standardized mean difference = -0.24 [small effect size; 95% CI, -0.41 to -0.08]). Antidepressants and the central nervous system stimulant lisdexamfetamine reduce binge frequency in binge-eating disorder compared with placebo (antidepressants vs placebo, standardized mean difference = -0.29 [small effect size; 95% CI, -0.51 to -0.06]; lisdexamfetamine vs placebo, Hedges g = 0.57 [medium effect size; 95% CI, 0.28-0.86]). There are currently no effective medications for treatment of anorexia nervosa. Individuals with serious medical or psychiatric complications of eating disorders such as bradycardia or suicidality should be hospitalized for treatment.

Globally, eating disorders affect 2% to 5% of individuals during their lifetime and are more common in females than males. In addition to weight changes, eating disorders may cause electrolyte abnormalities, bradycardia, disturbances in reproductive hormones, and decreased bone density, and are associated with increased risk of depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts. First-line treatments of eating disorders include nutritional support, psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy.

Eating disorders (EDs) represent a major public health burden. Increasingly, studies suggest mental health (MH) fields are failing to improve the effectiveness of treatments and that alternative models of care must be considered. Precision mental health (PMH) seeks to tailor treatment to individual needs and relies on a comprehensive understanding of the neurobiological and physiological underpinnings of mental illness.

In this narrative review, published literature with focus on biological application of PMH strategies for EDs is reviewed and summarised.

A total of 39 articles were retained for the review covering a variety of themes with relevance to PMH. Many studies of biological markers with PMH applicability focused on anorexia nervosa. Although a variety of potential PMH research applications were identified, the review failed to identify any evidence of implementation into routine ED practice.

Despite the theoretical merit of biological application of PMH in ED treatment, clinical applications for standard practice are lacking. There is a need to invest further in studies that seek to identify biological markers and investigate neurobiological underpinnings of disease in hopes of targeting and developing treatments that can be better tailored to the individualised needs of patients.

Eating disorders may result in medical complications that affect every body system with both acute and chronic consequences. Although some medical complications may require acute medical hospitalization to manage, other complications, such as low bone mineral density, may not present until malnutrition has become chronic. It is critical for team members to be aware of the early clinical signs of malnutrition and disordered eating behaviors, as well as longer-term complications that may affect their patients. When identifying eating disorder concerns, appropriate colleagues from the medical, nutrition, and psychiatric fields can be engaged in order to collaborate on stabilizing and improving the health of patients.

Eating disorders are characterized by significant disturbances in eating patterns associated with negative attitudes toward one's body, weight, and shape. They are associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity as well as significant health, economic, and psychosocial burdens. Additionally, individuals with eating disorders often hesitate to seek treatment and symptoms may be difficult to ascertain without structured assessment. The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Eating Disorders aims to enhance knowledge and increase the appropriate use of interventions for eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, thereby improving the quality of care and treatment outcomes. To this end, this evidence-based Performance in Practice tool can facilitate the implementation of a systematic approach to practice improvement for the care of individuals with eating disorders. This practice assessment activity can also be used in fulfillment of Continuing Medical Education and ABPN Continuing Certification, Improvement in Medical Practice.

Empirical evidence is unequivocal in illustrating that the majority of patients with eating disorders will not fully recover during treatment. To that end, the need for optimized treatment approaches and improved patient outcomes cannot be overstated. While empirical efforts are underway to optimize outcomes, this article reviews treatment-related research findings published in Eating Disorders: The Journal of Treatment & Prevention during 2023. Importantly, this review encapsulates research addressing (i) between-session patient behaviors, (ii) the integration of technology into treatment approaches, (iii) methods to augment emotional regulation in the context of eating disorder treatment, (iv) methods to measure progress, and potentially risk markers for patient dropout, during treatment, (v) optimizing treatment approaches for inpatient settings, and (vi) augmenting family therapy-based approaches. Incorporating novel technological advances may be critical in enhancing the scalability of eating disorder treatments, since treatment uptake remains an ongoing challenge for the field. Moreover, expanding the scope of non-outpatient eating disorder treatment settings, while ensuring fidelity to theoretical models developed in outpatient settings, is critical as treatment is effectively administer across the spectrum of levels of patient care.

Evaluating bone density and body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and analyzing their relationships among young anorexic women in comparison with normal-lean matched controls.

In this observational cohort study, 98 normal-underweight young females were enrolled (aged more than 16 and less than 24 years). The study group included 68 anorexic patients and 30 healthy age-matched controls. The patients underwent a DXA examination to evaluate bone mineral density and body composition. Several indexes of body composition were used: the FMI (Fat Mass Index), the TLMI (Total Lean Mass Index) and the SMI (Skeletal Muscle mass Index) the last one as a marker of sarcopenia.

According to the ISCD (International Society for Clinical Densitometry) criteria, a significantly higher percentage of anorexic patients were found to be below the expected range for age as compared to controls (P < 0.01). According to WHO criteria, 20% of the anorexic patients presented an osteoporotic T-score index at the lumbar level and 18% presented an osteoporotic T-score at the femoral level. As regards the lean body characteristics, the SMI and TLMI were significantly lower in the anorexic population (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively) and 24% of the anorexic patients presented SMI values that are indicative of pre-sarcopenia. In addition, only the SMI significantly correlated with both the lumbar and the femoral BMD values.

Anorexic patients have a very high risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Bone density is influenced by fat body mass and also significantly by lean body mass. Special consideration should be given to the sarcopenic condition since it is a worsening factor of bone health.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterised by the restriction of energy intake in relation to energy needs and a significantly lowered body weight than normally expected, coupled with an intense fear of gaining weight. Treatment of AN is currently based on psychological and refeeding approaches, but their efficacy remains limited since 40% of patients after 10 years of medical care still present symptoms of AN. The intestine hosts a large community of microorganisms, called the "microbiota", which live in symbiosis with the human host. The gut microbiota of a healthy human is dominated by bacteria from two phyla: Firmicutes and, majorly, Bacteroidetes. However, the proportion in their representation differs on an individual basis and depends on many external factors including medical treatment, geographical location and hereditary, immunological and lifestyle factors. Drastic changes in dietary intake may profoundly impact the composition of the gut microbiota, and the resulting dysbiosis may play a part in the onset and/or maintenance of comorbidities associated with AN, such as gastrointestinal disorders, anxiety and depression, as well as appetite dysregulation. Furthermore, studies have reported the presence of atypical intestinal microbial composition in patients with AN compared with healthy normal-weight controls. This review addresses the current knowledge about the role of the gut microbiota in the pathogenesis and treatment of AN. The review also focuses on the bidirectional interaction between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system (microbiota-gut-brain axis), considering the potential use of the gut microbiota manipulation in the prevention and treatment of AN.

Researchers have reported increased fracture risk in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN), but more knowledge on the long-term risk and the effects of age, male sex, and time-related changes is still needed. We examined the long-term (up to 40 years) fracture risk among patients with AN compared to a matched comparison cohort from the general population. We utilized data from the Danish Health Care Registers to identify 14,414 patients with AN (13,474 females and 940 males) diagnosed between 1977 and 2018, with a median age of 18.6 years and median follow-up time of 9.65 years. We calculated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using Cox regression analysis for overall and site-specific fracture risks. The overall aHR of any fracture was 1.46 [95% CI: 1.36 to 1.48], with an aHR of 1.50 [95% CI: 1.43 to 1.57] for females and 0.95 [95% CI: 0.82 to 1.1] for males. For specific fractures we found an association with femur fractures both in females 4.06 [95% CI: 3.39 to 4.46] and in males 2.79 [95% CI: 1.45 to 2.37] and for fractures of the spine (females 2.38 [95% CI: 2.00 to 2.84], males 2.31 [95% CI: 1.20 to 4.42]). The aHR of any fracture decreased from 1.66 [95% CI: 1.52 to 1.81] in the period from 1977 to 1997 to 1.40 [95% CI: 1.33 to 1.40] from 1998 to 2018. In conclusion, we found that AN was associated with a 46% increased risk of any fracture up to 40 years after diagnosis. We found no overall increased risk in males, but in both sexes we found a particularly high site-specific fracture risk in the spine and femur. Fracture risk decreased in recent decades, indicating that more patients with AN have been diagnosed with presumably less severe disease and that the earlier detection and intervention of AN in recent years may translate into a lower facture risk. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Extensive literature exists on bone health in females with an eating disorder, yet few have studied males. Our study assessed clinician confidence and current practices for assessing bone health in patients with an eating disorder. We also aimed to identify any differences in practice based on patient sex. Our 31-item survey, distributed to adolescent clinicians in the United States via the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) listserv, assessed clinician confidence and practices for assessing bone mineral density in both male and female adolescents with an eating disorder. Findings showed that clinicians (n = 104) were less confident in assessing bone mineral density in males compared to females (p < .001), yet there was no significant difference in rates of obtaining a DXA (p = .390). Although clinicians are less confident assessing bone health in males with an eating disorder than females, this does not appear to result in screening differences.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating/feeding disturbance characterized by severe food avoidance or restriction that results in faltering growth, nutritional deficiencies, dependence on formula supplementation, and/or significant psychosocial impairment. Compared to other eating disorders, ARFID is observed to have an earlier childhood onset and chronic course without intervention. Childhood represents a sensitive period for longitudinal growth and bone accrual, setting the stage for long-term health outcomes associated with longevity and quality of life, including risk for fracture and osteoporosis.

This narrative review discusses published scientific literature on bone health in individuals with ARFID by describing the current understanding of ARFID's effect on bone health, how common dietary constraints characteristic of ARFID may present unique risks to bone health, and the current clinical recommendations for bone health assessment. Reviewing what is known of clinical data from anorexia nervosa (AN) and similar cohorts, the chronicity and etiology of dietary restriction observed in ARFID are hypothesized to compromise bone health significantly. Although limited, examination of bone health in ARFID patients suggests children with ARFID tend to have shorter stature compared to healthy reference datasets and have lower bone density compared to healthy individuals, similar to those with AN. There remains a substantial knowledge gap in how ARFID may interrupt bone accrual during childhood and adolescence, and subsequent impact on attainment of peak bone mass and peak bone strength. The longitudinal effects of ARFID may be subtle and overlooked clinically in the absence of severe weight loss or growth stunting. Early identification and remediation of threats to bone mass accrual have significant personal and population-level implications.

For patients with ARFID, delayed identification and intervention to address feeding disturbances may have a long-lasting impact on various body systems and processes, including those relating to longitudinal growth and bone mass accrual. Further research employing rigorous prospective observational and/or randomized study designs are required to clearly define effects of ARFID, as well as clinical interventions aimed at addressing ARFID-related feeding disturbances, on bone accrual.

Eating disorders (EDs) compromise individuals' nutritional status, affecting among other organs and systems, bone health.

This study aimed to assess and compare bone mineral density (BMD) from dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan and deuterium (D₂O) dilution of adult females with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN).

This was a cross-sectional study with 53 female participants (18-49 years) with a diagnosis of AN (N = 25) or BN (N = 28). DXA scan was performed to assess BMD, fat mass, and fat-free mass, and D₂O dilution was used to assess total body water (TBW), fat mass, and fat-free mass. Interviews/questionnaires were used to assess symptoms, illness trajectory, and physical activity. T-test, Chi-squared test, Pearson's linear correlation, linear regressions, and Bland-Altman analyses were performed, with a significance level of 5%.

TBW below the recommended level for adult females (≥ 45%) was more frequent in BN (60%) compared with AN (21%; P = 0.013). FMI (soft tissue only) (t-test P = 0.06), and FFMI (t-test P = 0.08) agreed between DXA scan and D₂O dilution. Only FFMI did not show systematic bias of proportion (β:-0.2, P = 0.177). The diagnosis of BN, binge-eating episodes, and physical activity in AN were associated with the differences in the methods' results. FMI was positively associated with BMD in AN, and both FMI and FFMI were positively associated with BMD in BN.

In adult females with EDs, DXA scan and D₂O dilution achieved agreement for FMI and FFMI. Changes in fat mass and fat-free mass are important in understanding the mechanisms behind bone loss in EDs. Protocols for body composition assessment in EDs can help to minimize the effect of the ED diagnosis, ED behaviors (i.e., excessive exercise and purging behaviors) and weight on the accuracy of measurements.

The medical complications of eating disorders are often approached through an age-neutral lens. However, children and young adolescents may have unique medical complications related to the energy needs and timing of growth and development. Providers caring for patients in this vulnerable age range should understand how to identify, approach, and manage these potential age-related complications.

Evidence continues to accumulate that increasingly younger patients are being diagnosed with eating disorders. These children and young adolescents have significant risk for unique and potentially irreversible medical complications. Without early identification and treatment, restrictive eating disorders may negatively impact linear growth, bone development and brain maturation in children and young adolescents. Additionally, due to the energy needs of growth and development, unique considerations exist for the use of acute medical stabilization and the identification of patients at risk for refeeding syndrome with initial nutritional rehabilitation. This review presents an approach to the evaluation and management of children and young adolescents with eating disorders.

Children and young adolescents with restrictive eating disorders may have unique medical complications related to the energy needs and timing of linear growth and pubertal development. Significant risk exists for irreversible medical complications of impaired growth, bone, and brain health. Increased awareness of the energy needs for growth and development may improve early recognition, appropriate intervention, and future outcomes for children and young adolescents with restrictive eating disorders.

People with anorexia nervosa (AN) tend to shy away from engaging in typical primary care provider relationships in order to avoid detection. Therefore, they may seek care for their medical concerns through a local emergency department (ED). Inherently, AN is associated with a litany of medical complications, which become more prevalent as the severity of their eating disorder increases. Notwithstanding the typical young age at the onset of AN, no body system is immune to these medical complications. Thus, ED providers may need to pursue a medical diagnosis in order to explain presenting symptoms in people with AN. In addition to the medical issues, AN is also a serious mental illness with high mortality rates, including deaths by suicide. Therefore, ED providers also need to be familiar with relevant mental health issues for these people.

Childhood osteoporosis leads to increased propensity to fracture, and thus is an important cause of morbidity, pain and healthcare utilisation. Osteoporosis in children may be caused by a primary bone defect or secondary to an underlying medical condition and/or its treatment. Primary osteoporosis is rare, but there is an increasing number of children with risk factors for secondary osteoporosis. Therefore it is imperative that all paediatricians are aware of the diagnostic criteria and baseline investigations for childhood osteoporosis to enable timely referral to a specialist in paediatric bone health. This review will discuss the approach to diagnosis, investigation and management of childhood osteoporosis, with particular consideration to advances in molecular diagnosis of primary bone disorders, and current and emerging therapies for fracture reduction.

Lower bone mineral density (BMD) increases the risk of osteoporosis in individuals with eating disorders (EDs), particularly women with anorexia nervosa (AN), making them susceptible to pain and fractures throughout adulthood. In AN, low weight, hypothalamic amenorrhoea, and longer illness duration are established risk factors for low BMD, and in people with other EDs a history of AN seems to be an important risk factor for low BMD.

To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of BMD in individuals with EDs, including AN, bulimia nervosa (BN), binge-eating disorder (BED) and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED) compared to healthy controls (HC).

Following PRISMA guidelines, electronic databases were reviewed and supplemented with a literature search until 2/2022 of publications measuring BMD (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or dual photon absorptiometry) in females with any current ED diagnosis and a HC group. Primary outcomes were spine, hip, femur and total body BMD. Explanatory variables were fat mass, lean mass and ED clinical characteristics (age, illness duration, body mass index (BMI), amenorrhoea occurrence and duration, and oral contraceptives use).

Forty-three studies were identified (N = 4163 women, mean age 23.4 years, min: 14.0, max: 37.4). No study with individuals with BED met the inclusion criteria. BMD in individuals with AN (total body, spine, hip, and femur), with BN (total body and spine) and with OSFED (spine) was lower than in HC. Meta-regression analyses of women with any ED (AN, BN or OSFED) (N = 2058) showed low BMI, low fat mass, low lean mass and being amenorrhoeic significantly associated with lower total body and spine BMD. In AN, only low fat mass was significantly associated with low total body BMD.

Predictors of low BMD were low BMI, low fat mass, low lean mass and amenorrhoea, but not age or illness duration. In people with EDs, body composition measurement and menstrual status, in addition to BMI, are likely to provide a more accurate assessment of individual risk to low BMD and osteoporosis.

Medical complications of eating disorders in males are understudied compared to females, as is the case of vitamin D deficiency. The aim of this study was to assess vitamin D levels among male and female adolescents and young adults hospitalized for medical complications of eating disorders.

We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records of patients aged 9-25 years (N = 565) admitted to the University of California, San Francisco Eating Disorders Program for medical instability, between May 2012 and August 2020. Serum vitamin D (25-hydroxy) level was assessed at admission as was history of prior calcium, vitamin D, or multivitamin supplementation. Linear regression was used to assess factors associated with vitamin D levels.

A total of 93 males and 472 females met eligibility criteria (age 15.5 ± 2.8, 58.8% anorexia nervosa; admission body mass index 17.6 ± 2.91). Among male participants, 44.1% had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels < 30 ng/mL, 18.3% had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels < 20 ng/mL, and 8.6% had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels < 12 ng/mL. There were no significant differences in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in males compared to females, except that a lower proportion (1.9%) of female participants had 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels < 12 ng/mL (p = 0.001). Only 3.2% of males reported calcium or vitamin D-specific supplementation prior to hospital admission, while 8.6% reported taking multivitamins. White race, prior calcium/vitamin D supplementation, and higher calcium levels were associated with higher vitamin D levels on admission.

Nearly half of patients admitted to the hospital for malnutrition secondary to eating disorders presented with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels; males were more likely than females to have severe vitamin D deficiency. These findings support vitamin D assessment as part of the routine medical/nutritional evaluation for hospitalized eating disorder patients, with particular attention on male populations.

Impaired bone health is a common complication of anorexia nervosa (AN). We aimed to assess longitudinal changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone score (TBS), a measure of bone quality, in female adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN). We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study of 41 female adolescents with AN who underwent two dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Clinical data, including age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and DXA measurements were retrieved from the medical charts. Lumbar bone mineral apparent density (BMAD) was calculated to correct for size. Changes (Δ) in BMD, BMAD, and TBS were examined for correlations with clinical characteristics. Mean ages at the time of DXA scans were 14.8±1.9 and 16.8±2.0 years. There was a significant improvement in anthropometric parameters and DXA measurements at the second DXA scan. However, these values were still significantly lower than expected in the general population. The Δlumbar BMD Z-score was 0.3±0.7, the Δlumbar BMAD Z-score was 0.2±0.7 and the ΔTBS Z-score was 0.5±0.7. ΔTBS Z-score was positively correlated with Δheight Z-score, Δweight Z-score and ΔBMI Z-scores, and negatively correlated height Z-score, weight Z-score and TBS Z-scores at the first DXA scan (p<0.05). Δheight Z-score, ΔBMI Z-score and the progression from early to late puberty were identified as significant independent predictors of Δlumbar BMAD Z-score (p<0.05). During two years of treatment, both BMD and TBS increased significantly. Improvement in height and in weight status, and progression in puberty are predictors of improvement in BMD and TBS.

To assess the risk of somatic diseases in connection with anorexia nervosa (AN).

This matched cohort study was based on Danish registries of all patients born 1961-2008 with a first-time diagnosis of AN in 1994-2018 at age 8-32 and matched controls without an eating disorder. For 13 somatic disease categories, time from inclusion date to time of first somatic diagnosis, accounting for censoring, was studied by use of time-stratified Cox models.

A total of 9985 AN patients born 1961-2008 and 49,351 controls were followed for a median (interquartile range) of 9.0 (4.4-15.7) years. During the first 2 years after entry there was a 60% higher hazard for any somatic disease among patients with AN than among controls, while the ratio from three to 11 years was reduced to 1.18. Regardless of age at diagnosis, the hazard among patients and controls were no different at approximately a decade after diagnosis of AN and the cumulative risk for patients for 12 of 13 disease categories was always higher or no less that for controls. For all disease categories, the hazard ratio (HR) was higher when close to entry. For most disease categories, age at diagnosis of AN did not modify the effect.

While around 90% of all individuals had any somatic disease at the end of follow-up, the cumulative incidence over time was higher for patients with AN than for controls. Large HRs were seen in the early years after diagnosis during which patients require extensive medical interventions.

Based on Danish registries, a large sample of almost 10,000 patients with AN born 1961-2008 and almost 50,000 matched controls were followed for a median of 9 years. While around 90% of all individuals had any somatic disease at the end of follow-up, the cumulative incidence over time was higher for patients with AN than for controls.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disabling, costly and potentially deadly illness. Treatment failure and relapse are common after completing treatment, and a substantial proportion of patients develop severe and enduring AN. The time from AN debut to the treatment initiation is normally unreasonably long. Over the past 20 years there has been empirical support for the efficacy of several treatments for AN. Moreover, outpatient treatment with family-based therapy or individual psychotherapy is associated with good outcomes for a substantial proportion of patients. Early intervention improves outcomes and should be a priority for all patients. Outpatient treatment is usually the best format for early intervention, and it has been demonstrated that even patients with severe or extreme AN can be treated as outpatients if they are medically stable. Inpatient care is more disruptive, more costly, and usually has a longer waiting list than does outpatient care. The decision as to whether to proceed with outpatient treatment or to transfer the patient for inpatient therapy may be difficult. The core aim of this opinion review is to provide the knowledge base needed for performing safe outpatient treatment of AN. The scientific essentials for outpatient treatment are described, including how to assess and manage the medical risks of AN and how to decide when transition to inpatient care is indicated. The following aspects are discussed: early intervention, outpatient treatment of AN, including outpatient psychotherapy for severe and extreme AN, how to determine when outpatient treatment is safe, and when transfer to inpatient healthcare is indicated. Emerging treatments, ethical issues and outstanding research questions are also addressed.

Peak bone mass (PBM) is a key determinant of bone mass and fragility fractures later in life. The increase in bone mass during childhood and adolescence is mainly related to an increase in bone size rather to changes in volumetric bone density. Race, gender, and genetic factors are the main determinants of PBM achievement. Nevertheless, environmental factors such as physical activity, calcium and protein intakes, weight and age at menarche, are also playing an important role in bone mass accrual during growth. Therefore, optimization of calcium and protein intakes and weight-bearing physical activity during growth is an important strategy for optimal acquisition of PBM and bone strength and for contributing to prevent fractures later in life.

Oxidative stress appears to be involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis-a serious complication of anorexia nervosa (AN). We evaluated the oxidative status in adolescent girls with AN and its potential relationship with bone mineral density (BMD). Girls with AN (n = 43) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 20) underwent anthropometric and BMD examination. Markers of bone turnover, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status were measured. Participants with AN and controls did not differ in BMD at the lumbar spine (p = 0.17) and total body less head BMD (p = 0.08). BMD at the total hip was lower (p < 0.001) in the AN group compared with the controls. Levels of antioxidant status markers-ferric reduction antioxidant power, total antioxidant capacity, and reduced and oxidized glutathione ratio (all p < 0.001)-were significantly lower, whereas those of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), fructosamines, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) (all p < 0.001) were higher in AN patients than in healthy controls. BMD and bone turnover markers were positively correlated with antioxidant status markers, while they were negatively correlated with AOPP, fructosamines, and AGEs levels.  Conclusion: This is the first study to assess a potential association between oxidative status and BMD in adolescents with AN. We demonstrated that in young girls, the imbalance of oxidative status and reduced BMD are concurrently manifested at the time of the diagnosis of AN. Disturbance of oxidative status could play a pathogenetic role in AN-associated decreased BMD. What is Known: • Osteoporosis is a serious complication of AN, and in affected adolescents may result in a permanent deficit in bone mass. • Oxidative and carbonyl stress may be involved in the development of bone loss. What is New: • Adolescents girls with AN have impaired antioxidant defense and increased oxidative damage to biomolecules. • Disturbance of oxidative status could affect bone loss and could contribute to decreased BMD in adolescent females with AN.

Low bone mineral density (BMD) is a frequent and invalidating consequence of chronic undernourishment in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). The aim of this study was to assess prevalence and clinic-biological correlates of low BMD and fractures in extremely undernourished inpatients with AN.

Retrospective cohort study.

This study included 97 extremely malnourished female inpatients with AN consecutively admitted over 2 years. Clinical-biological variables, history of fractures and BMD by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were examined to find predictors of low BMD and fractures.

The prevalence of low BMD was of 51% for lumbar spine and 38% for femoral neck. Z-scores were lower at lumbar spine (-2.2 ± 1.2 SD) than at femoral neck (-1.9 ± 0.9 SD) (P<.01). Fragility fractures were reported by 10% of patients. BMD was mainly predicted by FFM, illness duration, age at onset and restricting AN (P<.05). Fractures were predicted by sodium concentrations, femoral neck Z-score and illness duration (P<.03).

Extremely severe patients with AN have high prevalence of low BMD, predicted by severity and chronicity of malnutrition.

Suboptimal vitamin D levels are implicated in low bone mineral density, a common medical complication of anorexia nervosa. This study aimed to examine the frequency of vitamin D assessment and treatment for adolescents with anorexia nervosa in outpatient medical management.

Retrospective chart review was used to examine 179 adolescents (M age = 15.5 years, SD = 2.2), newly diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at a tertiary care medical center in the United States between January 2000 and July 2016.

Only 16% of patients (n = 29) received serum vitamin D assessments following diagnosis, of whom 52% had suboptimal vitamin D levels (n = 15). Only three patients with suboptimal vitamin D were advised to begin supplementation. No patients in our sample were encouraged to begin prophylactic vitamin D supplementation.

Findings from this study highlight the critical need for widespread care team education about vitamin D assessment and treatment in the medical management of adolescents with anorexia nervosa, particularly in light of the potentially serious consequences of bone mineral density.

Low BMD is frequent in anorexia nervosa (AN), depression, and during SSRI treatment but relation between these elements in AN is not established. The aims of this study were to assess the relationships between depression and anxiety, SSRI prescription, and (1) low BMD during inpatient treatment and (2) BMD change 1 year after hospital discharge.

From 2009 to 2011, 212 women with severe AN have been included in the EVHAN study (EValuation of Hospitalisation for AN). Depression, anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms and comorbidity were evaluated using psychometric scales and CIDI-SF. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

According to the CIDI-SF, 56% of participants (n = 70) had a lifetime major depressive disorder, 27.2% (n = 34) had a lifetime obsessive-compulsive disorder, 32.8% (n = 41) had a lifetime generalized anxiety disorder and 25.6% (n = 32) had a lifetime social phobia disorder. Half of the sample (50.7%; n = 72) had a low BMD (Z score ≤ - 2). In multivariate analysis, lifetime lowest BMI was the only determinant significantly associated with low BMD (OR = 0.56, p = 0.0008) during hospitalization. A long duration of AN (OR = 1.40 (0.003-3.92), p = 0.03), the AN-R subtype (OR = 4.95 (1.11-26.82), p = 0.04), an increase of BMI between the admission and 1 year (OR = 1.69 (1.21-2.60), p = 0.005) and a gain of BMD 1 year after the discharge explained BMD change.

We did not find any association between depression and anxiety or SSRI treatment and a low BMD or variation of BMD.

Level III, cohort study.

We aimed to evaluate the bone mineral density (BMD) z scores of adolescents with atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) and investigate the potential predictors of low BMD risk.

Potential factors that might have an effect on the femoral neck and lumbar spine dual energy X-ray absorptiometry data of adolescents (11-18 years) with AAN were retrospectively evaluated.

Among adolescents with AAN, 13 (34.2%) had a z score lower than - 1 and 25 (65.8%) had a z score equal or greater than - 1. When adolescents with a BMD score lower and higher than - 1 were compared, normal BMD group had a significantly higher mean lifetime maximum BMI (p = 0.0035). Similarly previous overweight history was significantly higher in the normal BMD group (p = 0.005). A positive correlation was found between femoral neck (p = 0.002, r: 0.546) and lumbar spine (p: 0.002, r: 0.505) z scores and lifetime maximum BMI. There was also a positive correlation between lumbar spine BMD scores and BMI at admission (p = 0.001, r: 0.540). Lumbar spine z scores and amenorrhea duration were negatively correlated (p: 0.002, r:  - 10.867).

In the adolescent period similar to AN, AAN cases are also at risk for disordered bone health. In adolescents with AAN, BMI prior to the illness was estimated to be the significant parameter for the risk of low BMD. Special attention should be paid to the bone health of adolescents with AAN, especially for those who do not have a previous overweight history.

There are currently no validated biomarkers for anorexia nervosa (AN), though recent literature suggests an increased research interest in this area. Biomarkers are objective, measurable indicators of illness that can be used to assist with diagnosis, risk assessment, and tracking of illness state. Related to biomarkers are endophenotypes, which are quantifiable phenomena that are distinct from symptoms and which link genes to manifest illness. In this scoping review, we sought to provide a summary of recent research conducted in the pursuit of biomarkers and endophenotypes for AN. The findings indicate that a number of possible biomarkers which can assess the presence or severity of AN independently of weight status, including psychophysical (e.g., eye-tracking) and biological (e.g., immune, endocrine, metabolomic, neurobiological) markers, are currently under investigation. However, this research is still in early phases and lacking in replication studies. Endophenotype research has largely been confined to the study of several neurocognitive features, with mixed evidence to support their classification as possible endophenotypes for the disorder. The study of biomarkers and endophenotypes in AN involves significant challenges due to confounding factors of illness-related sequalae, such as starvation. Future research in these areas must prioritise direct evaluation of the sensitivity, specificity and test-retest reliability of proposed biomarkers and enhanced control of confounding physical consequences of AN in the study of biomarkers and endophenotypes.

The present pilot study investigated the effect of Teriparatide 1-34 rh-PTH (TPT) in young women diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (AN), and markedly compromised Bone Mineral Density (BMD). Patients were included who had (i) very low BMD (defined as Z-Score <  - 2.5 or T-Score <  - 2.5 if available) in at least one of the assessed localizations (lumbar spine L1-L4, total hip, femoral neck) without any previous fragility fracture; or (ii) low bone mineral density (defined as Z-Score <  - 1.5 or T-Score <  - 1.5 if available) in at least one of the assessed localizations (lumbar spine L1-L4, total hip, femoral neck) and at least one previous fragility fracture. Ten patients with an age range of 21-33 were recruited and their bone outcome was assessed after 12, 18, and 24 months. After 24 months of TPT treatment, BMD improved by 13.5% in the spine, 5.0% in the femoral neck, and 4.0% in the hip. Radius cortical bone density (- 2.6%) and radius cortical thickness (- 6.4%) decreased significantly, while in tibia there was no significant decrease. Neither in radius nor in tibia a significant change in trabecular bone parameters occurred. During the treatment, the patients' body weight did not increase significantly. Patients did not experience severe adverse events; only mild side effects were observed. Although these results emerged from a single-arm prospective study, it seems that AN patients with a severely compromised bone situation can benefit from TPT. Larger studies are needed to ascertain the effect of this promising substance.

Anorexia nervosa is a serious health condition characterized by a significant low body weight and alteration in body composition components.

In the current paper, we aim to summarize the available literature concerning changes in body fat, lean, and bone masses, during anorexia nervosa and after complete weight restoration.

Data were summarized using a narrative approach based on clinical expertise in the interpretation of the available evidence base in the literature.

The available data revealed three main findings. Firstly, anorexia nervosa causes a significant reduction in body fat mass, however it is completely restored after short-term weight normalization but with a central adiposity phenotype that does not seem to negatively influence treatment outcomes and appears to normalize after 1 year of normal weight maintenance. Secondly, anorexia nervosa causes a significant reduction in bone mineral density, but weight restoration is associated first (≈12 months) with stabilization of bone mineral density, followed by improvements (after ≈16 months); and finally, with complete normalization (after ≈30 months) after normal-weight maintenance. Thirdly, during anorexia nervosa loss of lean and skeletal body mass occurring in particular from the extremities rather than the central regions has been consistently reported, especially in patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≤ 16.5 Kg/m2 however short-term weight restoration is associated with complete normalization.

Anorexia nervosa adversely affects body composition, however this medical complication seems to be reversible through the main treatment strategy of body weight restoration followed by normal weight maintenance, and this should be openly discussed with patients.

The development of atypical vs typical anorexia nervosa (AN) might be explained by the genetic background. We assessed the link between the subtypes of AN and the genetic polymorphisms of the thrombotic panel and the methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene. This cross-sectional pilot study recruited 48 girls with AN and 10 age-matched control girls with normal menstruation. We recorded anthropometric parameters and obtained blood samples for genotyping and hormonal assessment. Classification of AN was performed according to the DSM-V criteria. Girls with AN had 2.66 times higher odds of carrying at least one genetic polymorphism from the MTHFR panel (C677T and A1298C) compared with girls without AN (OR = 2.660, p-value = 0.041; CI 95% 1.057-6.720). The presence of atypical vs typical AN was associated independently with the presence of any of the assessed MTHFR polymorphisms (C677T, OR = 4.929, 95% CI 1.076-22.579, p-value = 0.040; A1298C, OR = 0.097, 95% CI 0.011-0.866, p-value = 0.037) in age and estrogen adjusted models. The atypical presentation of AN is mainly linked with higher prevalence of the MTHFR C677T and lower prevalence of the A1298C polymorphism.

This study investigated the potential role of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) to assess low bone mass in anorexia nervosa patients (AN). Bone parameters from QUS and DXA were positively correlated and significantly reduced in AN compared with controls, suggesting that QUS is a pertinent technique to assess low bone mass in these patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of an alternative technique, quantitative ultrasound (QUS), to assess low bone mass in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Two hundred seven young women (134 patients with AN and 73 healthy controls) with ages ranging from 14.4 to 38.4 years participated in this observational cross-sectional study. Bone mass was concomitantly evaluated by DXA to determine areal bone mineral density (aBMD; g/cm²) at hip, lumbar spine, and radius and by QUS to determine broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA; dB/MHz) at the heel.

BUA (66.5 ± 4.6 dB/MHz vs 61.0 ± 5.0 dB/MHz) and aBMD at the hip (0.916 ± 0.013 g/cm² vs 0.806 ± 0.010 g/cm²), lumbar spine (0.966 ± 0.012 g/cm² vs 0.886 ± 0.010 g/cm²), and radius (0.545 ± 0.005 g/cm² vs 0.526 ± 0.04 g/cm²) were significantly decreased (p < 0.01) in patients with AN compared with controls. When patient and control data were pooled, BUA was significantly correlated with aBMD at the hip (r = 0.60, p < 0.001), lumbar spine (r = 0.48, p < 0.001), and radius (r = 0.40, p<0.001). In patients with AN, BUA and aBMD were mainly and positively correlated with weight, lean tissue mass, body mass index (BMI), and minimal BMI life and negatively with the duration of both disease and amenorrhea. Better concordance between the two techniques was obtained when absolute BUA and aBMD values were used according to the WHO T score classification.

BUA measurement at the heel by QUS appears to be a pertinent nonionizing technique to assess low bone mass in patients with AN.

Eating disorders are serious, potentially life-threatening illnesses afflicting individuals through the life span, with a particular impact on both the physical and psychological development of children and adolescents. Because care for children and adolescents with eating disorders can be complex and resources for the treatment of eating disorders are often limited, pediatricians may be called on to not only provide medical supervision for their patients with diagnosed eating disorders but also coordinate care and advocate for appropriate services. This clinical report includes a review of common eating disorders diagnosed in children and adolescents, outlines the medical evaluation of patients suspected of having an eating disorder, presents an overview of treatment strategies, and highlights opportunities for advocacy.

The purpose of this study was to describe the medical complications of anorexia nervosa (AN) to enable a consult-liaison psychiatrist to be familiar with these complications when involved with the care of a hospitalized patient with AN.

Comprehensive PubMed search of English language publications of adult patients with AN was carried out using keywords, phrases, and medical subject headings of anorexia nervosa-medical complications, cardiac, osteoporosis, gastrointestinal, hematological, and endocrine. The database search was restricted by time of publication of studies from 2005 to 2020.

Every organ system can be adversely affected by AN. Most are fully reversible with time and informed medical care. A multidisciplinary team is needed to optimally care for patients who are hospitalized as a result of the medical complications of their AN.

Consult-liaison psychiatrists are asked to help in the care of patients with AN who are admitted to a hospital because of a medical complication of their illness. Being familiar with these complications and their treatments will optimize their hospital stays and the care provided. In addition, involving other relevant ancillary services is an important care consideration.

Malnutrition and low weight in eating disorders (EDs) are associated with increased fracture risk compared to the general population. In a cohort study, we aimed to determine fracture rates compared to age and gender matched controls (ratio 5:1), assess the impact of disease remission on fracture risk, and establish predictive factors for fractures.

Of note, 803 ED patients referred to specialized ED treatment between 1994 and 2004 were included. In 2016, data on fractures were obtained through the Danish National Registry of Patients.

Fracture risk was increased in anorexia nervosa (AN; IRR 2.2 [CI 99%: 1.6-3.0]) but not in bulimia nervosa (BN; IRR 1.3, ns) or other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED; IRR 1.8, ns). IRR in the AN group were increased for vertebral fractures (IRR 3.8 [CI 99%: 1.4-10.3]), upper arm (IRR 3.0 (CI 99% 1.6-5.5) and hip (IRR 6.6 [CI 99%: 2.6-18.0]). Disease remission in AN is associated to lower fracture risk compared to active disease, but higher fracture risk compared to controls (IRR 1.7 [CI 99%: 1.1-2.7]). In regression analysis, age at debut of disease, nadir BMI and duration of disease before referral to treatment, independently predicted fracture.

We confirm increased fracture risk in AN, and show significant differences in fracture risk between patients in disease remission and patients with active disease. Furthermore, we show that age at debut of disease and duration of disease before referral to treatment is positively correlated to fracture risk, whereas nadir BMI is negatively correlated to fracture risk.

The threefold aim was to (1) compare areal bone mineral density (aBMD), bone turnover markers, and periostin levels in young women with either anorexia nervosa (AN) or obesity (OB) and controls (CON); (2) model the profiles according to age; and (3) determine the parameters associated with aBMD.

One hundred and fifty-two young women with ages ranging from 16.0 to 27.0 years were subdivided into 3 groups (AN, OB, CON). The CON group was age-matched by ±6 months. aBMD, bone turnover markers, and periostin levels were evaluated.

aBMD modeling showed that hip aBMD was higher in OB than in the other 2 groups from 19 years, and AN presented lower values than CON from 21 years. aBMD at the lumbar spine was higher in older OB and CON women, starting from 20 to 22 years, but in AN the difference with the other 2 groups increased with age. Periostin levels were lower in OB than in AN or CON, but no variation with age was observed. Compared with controls, OB and AN presented similarly lower markers of bone formation, although markers of bone resorption were lower in OB and higher in AN. A modeling approach showed that markers of bone formation and resorption were lower in older than in younger CON, whereas the values of these bone markers remained relatively constant in AN and OB. In all groups, lean body mass (LBM) was the parameter most positively correlated with aBMD.

This study demonstrated that weight extremes (AN or OB) influence aBMD, bone remodeling and periostin profiles. Moreover, factors related to aBMD were specific to each condition, but LBM was the parameter most consistently associated with aBMD.

Eating disorders (EDs) are associated with decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and increased fracture risk. The association between BMD and fracture risk in EDs is not well elucidated. We aimed to assess BMD in an ED cohort of patients with active disease and patients in remission, and to assess the predictive value of BMD on incidence of fractures.

We included 344 female patients (median age 19, IQR 16; 24) referred to ED treatment. Later, patients were invited to follow-up including assessment of remission status and a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-scan. Information on fractures was obtained through the Danish National Registry of Patients.

Patients with current anorexia nervosa (AN) had significantly lower BMD compared to controls at lumbar spine (16% lower, p < .0001), femoral neck (18% lower, p < .0001), and total hip (23% lower, p < .0001). Recovered AN patients had higher BMD compared to those with current disease (p < .0001 for all measures), but lower BMD compared to controls at lumbar spine (p < .01) and hip (p < .001). BMD did not differ between BN patients and controls. In patients with active eating disorders not otherwise specified, BMD was lower only at the total hip (p < .005). We found no association between BMD and fracture risk.

We confirm that AN is associated with low BMD, whereas BN is not. Remission is associated with higher BMD compared to patients with active AN, but a deficit remains. We found no significant association between BMD and fracture risk, challenging the benefit of the widespread use of DXA scans in young women with ED.

The study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00267228.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is associated with multiple medical complications. One of the rare permanent complications of AN is the deleterious effect that it has on a patient's bone mineral density (BMD). We report on the Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) findings of 336 consecutive patients with AN. Also, we investigated the effects of different factors on these DXA results. These factors included age, body mass index (BMI), percentage of ideal body weight (IBW), duration of illness, duration of amenorrhea, medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPI) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), tobacco use and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels. This study demonstrated a concerning high prevalence of reduced bone mineral density in patients with AN. Thus, the implication being that those involved in the care of patients with AN need to be cognizant of this serious complication and not be assuaged by the young age of this patient population.

Introduction: Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) experience medical complications including impaired bone metabolism, increased fracture rate, kidney stones and chronic renal failure. However, the mechanisms of such complications are not fully understood. Healthy adolescents have been shown to have higher PTH levels when compared with pre-pubertal children and adults. Given the importance of central measures of calcium and vitamin D metabolism in bone and kidney health, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) have been extensively investigated in patients with AN, however none of the previous studies accounted for age-specific reference ranges for PTH. The aim of this study was to investigate central measures of calcium and vitamin D metabolism in adolescents with newly diagnosed AN using age-specific reference ranges and to determine whether any significant abnormalities required further study. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 61 adolescents (mean age = aged 15.2 ± 1.56 years) with newly diagnosed AN, referred to a tertiary center over a period of 2 years. Demographic, auxiological, and nutrient (vitamin D and calcium) intake data was obtained. Central measures of calcium and vitamin D metabolism in blood and urine were investigated. PTH results were compared with age-specific reference ranges from the Canadian Laboratory Initiative on Pediatric Reference Intervals (CALIPER). Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were performed. Results: Low PTH levels were observed in 35% of the cohort. Overall, serum calcium, phosphate and 25OHD were within the reference range. Using loess curves, PTH had a significant negative and non-linear correlation with 25OHD with an inflection point at a 25OHD level of 100 nmol/l, above which the association was no longer present. Correlation analysis did not show a significant association between PTH and total or corrected serum calcium, urine calcium/creatinine (Ca/Cr) ratio, total dietary calcium intake, magnesium or Tanner staging. Conclusion: PTH levels were reduced in approximately a third of adolescents with AN. This observation has not been reported given the universal usage of reference ranges that covers all ages. This finding may unmask a potential role for reduced PTH levels in the pathogenesis of kidney stones and bone phenotype in patients with AN.

Background Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a serious eating disorder that is associated with decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and greater lifetime risk for fractures. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between BMD and genetic polymorphisms in AN. Methods This case-control study analyzed vitamin D receptor (VDR) (VDRBsml, VDRFokl) and estrogen receptor (ESR) (ESR1Xbal, ESR1Pvull) polymorphisms in 45 adolescents diagnosed with AN and 46 age-matched healthy controls. BMD values of the AN group were classified as low or normal, and polymorphisms were compared between cases and controls. The effects of body mass index (BMI), duration of disease and amenorrhea on BMD were also evaluated. Results In girls with AN, a positive effect of the bb genotype of VDRBsmI polymorphism on femur Z-scores (p = 0.103) and of the Ff genotype of VDRFokI polymorphism on vertebra Z-scores (p = 0.097) was observed. In boys with AN, a positive effect of the Ff genotype of VDRFokI polymorphism on vertebra BMD (g/cm2) was detected (p = 0.061). No association was detected between ESR polymorphisms. An inverse relationship was observed between BMD and duration of illness and amenorrhea. A direct relationship was detected between BMD and BMI. Conclusions Specific VDR gene polymorphism genotypes may have positive effects on BMD in patients with AN. Additionally, the lack of association between ESR gene polymorphisms on BMD could be attributed to the low estrogen status of the patient.

Osteoporosis is a common and very serious complication of anorexia nervosa. It affects these patients, both males and females, at very young ages. This loss of bone mineral density begins quickly, soon after the onset of the eating disorder. It is one of the rare medical complications of anorexia nervosa which may result in irreparable harm, even if there is successful nutritional rehabilitation and weight restoration. Nevertheless, notwithstanding its high importance, there is a paucity of evidence-based medicine to guide the optimal approach to diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. This paper attempts to inform clinicians taking care of these patients about a reasonable and measured approach to this problem, while the field awaits more definitive medical literature.

There are known and serious health risks associated with extreme body weights, including the development of eating disorders. Body size misperceptions are particularly evident in individuals with eating disorders, compared to healthy controls. The present research investigated whether serial dependence, a recently discovered bias in body size judgement, is associated with eating disorder symptomatology. We additionally examined whether this bias operates on holistic body representations or whether it works by distorting specific visual features.

A correlational analysis was used to examine the association between serial dependence and eating disorder symptomatology. We used a within-subjects experimental design to investigate the holistic nature of this misperception. Participants were 63 young women, who judged the size of upright and inverted female body images using a visual analogue scale and then completed the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) to assess eating disorder symptoms.

Our findings provide the first evidence of an association between serial dependence and eating disorder symptoms, with significant and positive correlations between body size misperception owing to serial dependence and EDE-Q scores, when controlling for Body Mass Index. Furthermore, we reveal that serial dependence is consistent with distortion of local visual features.

Findings are discussed in relation to the broader theories of central coherence, cognitive inflexibility, and multisensory integration difficulties, and as providing a candidate mechanism for body size misperception in an eating disorder population.

Level 1, experimental study.

Fragility fractures are common in older adults and rare in children. Recent studies have demonstrated that hyponatraemia is a novel risk factor for the development of osteoporosis and hip fractures in older people. Animal studies suggest that hyponatraemia can lead to decreased bone mineral density by stimulating osteoclastic activity in order to mobilise sodium from the bone. Reported is a 16-year-old man with intractable epilepsy and an 11-year history of chronic hyponatraemia (126-135 mEq/L) due to valproic acid induced syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis who sustained low-impact fragility fractures and had evidence of osteopaenia on both X-ray and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Hyponatraemia resolved following the discontinuation of valproic acid and bone mineral density normalised on a repeat DEXA 19 months later. This case provides evidence supporting the contention that chronic hyponatraemia contributes to osteopaenia and fragility fractures and that the bone abnormalities are potentially reversible following the correction of hyponatraemia.

In this cross-sectional study we aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical fitness and bone variables across the body mass index (BMI) spectrum in women aged 20-35 years. The study included 13 underweight women (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²), 24 normal weight women (BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m²), and 20 overweight/obese women (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) aged between 20 and 35 years. Bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) at the whole body, lumbar spine, and femoral neck, lumbar spine trabecular bone score, femoral neck geometry were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Cardiorespiratory fitness and lower limb muscle power were estimated using the 20-m shuttle run test and the Sargent jump test, respectively. The associations between bone variables and physical fitness were different according to BMI categories. Correlations between physical fitness and bone parameters are particularly significant in normal BMI and less significant in low and high BMI. Multivariate ANCOVA regression models demonstrated that absolute VO_2max (L/min) is a strong determinant of all the bone parameters regardless of BMI. Implementing strategies for increasing VO_2max (L/min) by increasing lean mass and promoting resistance and/or high-intensity interval training could be effective to optimize bone health in underweight and overweight young adult women.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a chronic and life-threatening eating disorder that can have a considerable negative impact on the growing skeleton. We hypothesized that the long-term impact on bone health may persist even after normalization of body weight.

41 females (mean age 21.2 ± 2.9 years) with a history of adolescent-onset AN attended a follow-up bone health assessment at 5 years (T5, n = 28) or 10 years (T10, n = 13) after their first AN-related hospital admission. Assessment included dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry measurements of the total body, lumbar spine, and proximal femur, peripheral quantitative computed tomography at the radius and tibia, anthropometric measurements, serum biochemistry, fracture history, and a patient questionnaire.

A recovery in body weight and BMI was seen for both the T5 and T10 cohorts (BMI at intake 16.6, BMI at T5-T10 21.2-21.3). Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry body composition indicated a recovery of fat mass and lean tissue mass. Total BMD was unaffected, but reductions were seen at the femoral neck and arms. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography showed reduced trabecular and cortical bone in the radius, and cortical thinning in the tibia. AN patients showed a statistically significant reduction in measures of radiographic bone health at follow up, although not to a degree that necessitated clinical intervention. Serum insulin-like growth factor 1 was also positively correlated with total BMD and BMC measures. While fracture risk was not increased, a subset of participants (8%) showed multiple (>4) fractures.

A longitudinal study of adolescent AN showed persisting negative effects on bone health.