Altered body fat distribution after recovery of weight in patients with anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the changes in regional body composition such as bone mineral content, lean body mass, and fat mass in patients with anorexia nervosa before and after weight gain. METHODS Body composition was measured before and after weight gain by dual photon absorptiometry in 21 female patients who met the DSM-III-R criteria. RESULTS Soft mass of the pelvis, trunk, and upper and lower extremities in patients with anorexia nervosa was remarkably reduced to less than 70% of standard body weight. After restoring normal weight, soft mass of the pelvis and trunk increased remarkably and reached the levels of controls, but the soft mass in the upper and lower extremities remained below the control level. As a result, patients with anorexia nervosa demonstrated central obesity after weight recovery. DISCUSSION We briefly discussed the cause of the altered fat distribution, such as central obesity, in patients with anorexia nervosa after weight recovery.

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