Body composition and nutritional status changes in adolescents with anorexia nervosa

Nutritional status assessment in anorexia nervosa (AN) includes the evaluation and monitoring of body composition throughout the treatment period. The gold standard for the study of body composition is dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), although electrical bioimpedance (BIA) is a more accessible, cheaper and faster method that does not involve exposure to radiation.

We recruited 33 female adolescents with AN (age, 11.7-16.3 years) by consecutive sampling. We collected data on clinical, anthropometric and laboratory variables. Patients were assessed with BIA and DEXA at inclusion in the study and at the end of the study, with a mean duration of follow-up of 1 year, during the nutritional rehabilitation phase.

There was significant improvement in nutritional status, reflected by the body composition obtained by anthropometric measurements and BIA. The phase angle increased significantly during the follow-up. Greater weight loss was associated with the presence of secondary amenorrhoea and decreased bone mineral density in the spine.

Electrical BIA is a useful tool for assessment and monitoring of nutritional status in paediatric patients with AN. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry continues to be essential to assess bone mineral density. The role of hormones such as leptin remains to be elucidated.