Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
07:46
Using the Activity-based Anorexia Rodent Model to Study the Neurobiological Basis of Anorexia Nervosa
Published on: October 22, 2015
Eating disorders in adolescence and their sequelae
1Eating Disorders Center, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Schneider Children's Hospital, Long Island Jewish Medical Centre, New Hyde Park, NY, 11040, USA. golden@lij.edu
Summary
Gynaecologists should suspect eating disorders in adolescent amenorrhoea. Comprehensive treatment, not just oestrogen, is vital for managing osteopenia associated with anorexia nervosa.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Endocrinology
- Adolescent Medicine
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa, are common in adolescents, leading to significant health issues.
- Amenorrhoea is a key symptom of anorexia nervosa, frequently bringing patients to gynaecologists.
- Prolonged amenorrhoea and low oestrogen states can cause irreversible osteopenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the importance of recognizing eating disorders in adolescent amenorrhoea.
- To emphasize the limitations of oestrogen replacement therapy for osteopenia in anorexia nervosa.
- To advocate for a multidisciplinary approach to managing eating disorders and associated complications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on eating disorders, amenorrhoea, and osteopenia in adolescents.
- Analysis of the role of gynaecologists in identifying eating disorders.
- Evaluation of current treatment strategies for osteopenia in anorexia nervosa.
Main Results:
- Amenorrhoea in young women warrants consideration of an underlying eating disorder.
- Oestrogen replacement therapy is ineffective for osteopenia in anorexia nervosa.
- Nutritional rehabilitation, weight restoration, and resumption of menses are primary treatments.
- Calcium, vitamin D, and exercise are supportive measures.
- Emerging treatments for osteopenia include DHEA, IGF-1, and alendronate.
Conclusions:
- Gynaecologists play a crucial role in identifying eating disorders presenting with amenorrhoea.
- Effective management of osteopenia in anorexia nervosa requires addressing the eating disorder comprehensively.
- A team-based approach involving physicians, nutritionists, and therapists is essential for optimal patient outcomes.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
01:19Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Abnormal behavior, often referred to as mental illness, results from changes in brain function that influence thought patterns, behaviors, and social interactions. Psychologists and psychiatrists typically assess abnormal behavior using three primary criteria: deviance, maladaptation, and personal distress, particularly when these traits persist over long periods.
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
01:28Anorexia Nervosa
Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
01:28Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...