Dietary intake and nutritional status in adolescents and young adults with anorexia nervosa: A 3-year follow-up study. Issue 10 (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pettersson, Cecilia; Svedlund, Anna; Wallengren, Ola; Swolin-Eide, Diana; Paulson Karlsson, Gunilla; Ellegård, Lars
• Is Part Of: Clinical nutrition. Volume 40:Issue 10(2021)
• Page Start: 5391
• Page End: 5398
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Anorexia nervosa -- Malnutrition -- Nutritional status -- Dietary intake -- Body composition -- Skeletal muscle mass index; Critically ill -- Nutrition -- Periodicals; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; Parenteral feeding -- Periodicals; Enteral feeding -- Periodicals; Enteral Nutrition -- Periodicals; Parenteral Nutrition -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Periodicals; Diétothérapie -- Périodiques; Alimentation parentérale -- Périodiques; Alimentation entérale -- Périodiques; Nutrition -- Périodiques; Diet therapy; Enteral feeding; Nutrition; Parenteral feeding; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 615.854
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.08.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0261-5614

Abstract

Summary: Background & aims: Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) restrict their dietary intake leading to malnutrition. Information is scarce on nutrition status during recovery. The aim of the study was to investigate dietary intake, body composition, biochemistry, and status in young women three years after hospital treatment due to severe restrictive AN. Methods: Dietary intake from four-day food records were compared to a reference group and the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Serum levels of vitamin A, E, D, folate, and ferritin were assessed. Results: Three years after hospital treatment for AN, 12 subjects (60%) were recovered or in partial remission from AN. Subnormal values of body fat and skeletal muscle mass were present in 30% and 25%. Energy intake was 1730 kcal/day (min–max 705–2441) or 33 kcal/kg/day (16–54). Most (80%) had a total energy intake/day below the estimated needs and 6 (32%) had energy intakes below 1550 kcal/day. Micronutrient intakes from food were low; 16 (85%) had intakes below recommendations of iron, folate, and vitamin D. Serum levels of vitamins A, E, D, and folate were on average adequate; but a subnormal value (<50 nmol/L) of vitamin D was found in 20%. Ferritin levels were significantly lower at follow-up, and 25% had values below reference range. Return of menstruation was dependent of energy intake and body fat. Conclusions: A regular and careful assessment of nutritional status along with nutritional counseling during recovery is recommended to reduce malnutrition in patients with AN.