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[Variations in body weight and feeding behavior in internal medicine]
A F Allaz1, M Archinard, N Reverdin
1Division de médecine psychosomatique et psychosociale, Institutions universitaires de psychiatrie, Genève.
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
|December 7, 1991
Summary
A significant percentage of women hospitalized for medical reasons have undiagnosed eating disorders. Unexplained weight fluctuations, even without an eating disorder, are common and warrant medical history review.
Area of Science:
- Internal Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Nutritional Science
Context:
- Hospitalized patients, particularly women, may present with undiagnosed eating disorders.
- Significant weight fluctuations are observed in patients with eating disorders and obese individuals.
- Adults experience substantial weight changes even without diagnosed eating disorders.
Purpose:
- To identify the prevalence of eating disorders among women hospitalized on medical wards.
- To highlight the commonality of significant weight fluctuations in adult patients.
- To emphasize the importance of including weight history in medical assessments.
Summary:
- An eating disorder was identified in 13% of women hospitalized on medical wards.
- Weight fluctuations exceeding 30% were noted in patients with eating disorders and obese patients.
- Even without eating disorders, adult weight changes averaged 22% of body weight.
Impact:
- Suggests systematic inclusion of weight history in medical records.
- Aids in the early detection of potential eating disorders.
- Underscores the significance of weight changes as a clinical indicator.