Body composition differences in adolescent female athletes and anorexic patients

Osteopenia is a frequent complication affecting adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa (AN). Moreover, female athletes suffering from eating disorders can be affected by premature osteoporotic fractures. The aim of this study was to examine bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) in three groups of adolescent females. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were performed on 22 adolescent females (age+/-SD=15.6+/-1.4 years) divided into groups: athletes ( n=8), patients with AN ( n=8) and age-height matched control subjects ( n=6). Body weight and body mass index were significantly lower ( p<0.01) in athletes and AN patients compared with healthy controls. BMC and BMD were lower ( p<0.01) for AN patients and athletes compared with healthy controls; AN patients had the lowest BMC value. Athletes had higher lean body mass values compared with AN patients and healthy controls. These results suggest that the effects of eating disorders, specifically BMC loss, could be attenuated by physical activity.