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Caloric consumption and activity levels after weight recovery in anorexia nervosa: A prolonged delay in normalization
Author(s) -
Kaye Walter H.,
Gwirtsman Harry,
George Ted,
Ebert Michael H.,
Petersen Rosemary
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/1098-108x(198603)5:3<489::aid-eat2260050307>3.0.co;2-r
Subject(s) - caloric theory , anorexia nervosa , caloric intake , medicine , weight loss , normalization (sociology) , endocrinology , anorexia , weight gain , psychology , normal weight , body weight , eating disorders , obesity , psychiatry , overweight , sociology , anthropology
In the 2 to 6 weeks after completion of refeeding and termination of a weight restoration program, patients with anorexia nervosa required greater than normal caloric intake to maintain a stable weight and had elevated levels of activity. By contrast, such patients studied 6 months or longer after weight recovery had normal caloric intake and activity levels. The prolonged delay in normalization of caloric intake and activity is mirrored by the slow resolution to normal of the neuroendocrine dysregulation that characterizes this disorder. This suggests that treatment for weight maintenance in anorexia nervosa should be extended aggressively for months after the return of a healthy weight so as to restore normal neuroendocrine function and thereby enhance the likelihood of permanent recovery.