Anorexia Nervosa (Slimmer's disease)

Often difficult to treat and occasionally fatal is an eating disorder characterized by serves weight loss and the fear of being fat. Amenorrhoea (absence of menstrual periods) is also associated with Anorexia Nervosa. People associated with this disease often strict food intake and exercise vigorously to control body weight even when emaciated.

Some characteristics changes on Body Composition in Anorexia Nervosa patients

  Weight Loss
  Binge eating
  Induced vomiting
  Tiredness and weakness
  Extreme choosiness over food
  Use of laxatives for weight loss
  Thinning of hair
  Change in Body Composition


Monitoring Body Composition

Monitoring Body composition of this group of people during recovery is very important as people with Anorexia Nervosa experience loss from all body compartments however, most of the weight loss comes from body fat and lean tissue. Anorexia Nervosa patients tend to have depleted mineral compartment of the body.

The routine use of Maltron Analysers as screening tool could help identify these diseases at a much earlier stage and help implement effect treatment helping sufferers return to a normal weight.

TECHNICAL PAPERS

Dempsey, D.T., Crosby, L.O., Lusk, E., Oberlander, J.L, Pertschuk, M.J., & Mullen, J.L. (1984). Total body water and total body potassium in anorexia nervosa. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 40, 260-269.

Hannan W, Cowen S. Freeman C, Shapiro C. Evaluation of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis for Body Composition Measurements in Anorexia Nervosa. Clin Phys Physiol Meas. 1990; 11: 209-216

Hannan WJ, Cowen SJ, Freeman CP, Wrate RM, Barton J. Evaluation of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for the assessment of body composition in anorexic females. Basic Life Sci 1993;60:169-72.

Hannan W J, Cowen S, Freeman C P. Shapiro C M. Evaluation of bioelectrical impedance analysis for body composition measurements in anorexia nervosa [see comments] CM: Comment in: Clin Phys Physiol Meas 1991 Feb,12(1):93-4 - Clin-Phys-Physiol-Meas. 1990: Aug. 11(3): 209-16

Mazess, R.B., Barden, H.S., & Ohlrich, E.S. (1990). Skeletal and body-composition effects of anorexia nervosa. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 52, 438-441.

Pirke KM. Huenzing WM, Ernst A, Beumont PJ. Assessment of body composition by measurement of electrical conductivity in patients with anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Int J Eating Disord 1989 Jul ;8(4):479-82.

Scalfi L, Di-Biase G, Coltorti A, Contaldo F. Bioimpedance analysis and resting energy expenditure in Undernourished and refed anorectic patients. Eur-J-Clin-Nutr. 1993; Jan, 47(1): 61-7

Vaisman, N., Corey, M., Roast, M.F., Goldberg, E, & Pencharz, P. (1988). Changes in body composition during re-feeding of patients with anorexia nervous. Journal of Paediatrics, 113, 925-929.

Vaisman, N., Rossi, M.F., Goldberg, E., Dibden, L.J., Wykes, U.J., & Pencharz, P.B. (1988). Energy expenditure and body composition in patients with anorexia nervosa. Journal of Paediatrics, 113, 919-924.