Factors predicting long-term weight maintenance in anorexia nervosa: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Clinical Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Eating disorder recovery lacks a universally agreed-upon definition, with weight maintenance being a critical yet under-researched component.
• Understanding weight maintenance factors is crucial for developing effective anorexia nervosa (AN) treatments and improving patient outcomes.
• This study systematically reviews the literature to identify predictors of long-term weight maintenance in AN patients.

Approach:

• A systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted.
• Five major databases were searched, and studies were filtered based on predefined exclusion criteria.
• The review synthesized findings from 13 selected studies out of an initial 1059 identified.

Key Points:

• Body Mass Index (BMI) at admission and discharge was the most frequently identified predictor of weight maintenance.
• Biological factors showed limited investigation, while psychological factors yielded mixed evidence regarding their predictive role.
• No significant differences in predictive factors were observed between adolescent and adult AN populations.
• Weight maintenance was inconsistently defined and measured across the reviewed studies.

Conclusions:

• The findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of weight maintenance in AN recovery.
• Results can assist clinicians in personalizing interventions to enhance long-term outcomes for AN patients.
• Further research is recommended to replicate findings and clarify the relationships between identified factors and weight maintenance.