Bone mineral density in adolescent girls with early onset of anorexia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
To assess prevalence of bone mineral density (BMD) reduction and relationship between bone mineral status and anthropometric assessment, nutritional intake and physical activity in adolescents with early anorexia nervosa (AN).


METHODS
Fifty-seven consecutive AN patients and 57 healthy controls underwent anthropometric status, bone density, body composition and physical activity evaluations. In AN patients clinical features and nutritional intake were also assessed.


RESULTS
Thirty-five patients with AN (62%) and 44 healthy subjects (77%) (pNS) showed normal BMD. Mean value of BMD Z-score was -0.6+/-0.9 in AN patients and -0.2+/-1.4 in controls (pNS). Weight at diagnosis and lean mass resulted the main predictor of bone loss but also height, best weight before diagnosis and BMI resulted correlated with bone mineral status in AN patients. Additionally, AN patients maintained good levels of protein intake and sport activity


CONCLUSIONS
Early diagnosis may prevent bone loss in AN patients. Protein intake and moderate physical activity seem to be useful to maintain an adequate bone mineral status.
Diamanti
Antonella
A
Gastroenterology and Nutrition Unit, Pediatric Hospital Bambino Gesù, Piazza S. Onofrio, 4-00165 Rome, Italy. diamanti@opbg.net
Bizzarri
Carla
C
Gambarara
Manuela
M
Calce
Angelica
A
Montecchi
Francesco
F
Cappa
Marco
M
Bianco
Giuseppe
G
Castro
Massimo
M
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009752:Nutritional Status
D004044:Dietary Proteins