Open issues in anorexia nervosa: prevention and therapy of bone loss.

Anorexia nervosa and diet-induced amenorrhea have an important impact not only on gynecological health but also on bone mass, especially if the disease is not promptly recognized and treated. This is particularly important because these conditions usually arise in adolescence, when peak bone mass is normally achieved. In this article we discuss the therapeutic issues related to bone loss associated with eating disorders.

Predictors of bone loss in young women with restrictive eating disorders.

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of Body Mass Index, body composition and hormonal factors on bone mass in young women with amenorrhea related to restrictive eating disorders.

Design: Descriptive study of 55 patients with secondary amenorrhea due to restrictive eating disorders and 14 healthy girls used for comparison. Assessment of Bone Mineral Density, Fat Mass and Lean Mass by DEXA and of the serum hormonal profile.