Prediction of weight increase in anorexia nervosa

• Background: Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychiatric disorder with high mortality rates apoor outcome and no empirically supported treatment of choice for adults. Weight increase isessential for recovery from anorexia nervosa why research exploring important contributors iscrucial.Aims: The current study examined the importance of motivation to change eating behaviour,treatment expectations and experiences, ED symptomatology, self-image and treatmentalliance for predicting weight increase.Methods: Female patients (n = 89) between 18-46 years of age with anorexia nervosa were assessed pre-treatment and at 6- and 36- monthfollow-ups with interviews and self-report questionnaires. At the 6-month follow-up the responserates differed from n = 58 to 66 and at the 36-month follow-up the response rates differedfrom n = 71 to 82.Results: At treatment start, expressed motivation to change eatinghabits, social insecurity and self-neglect were predictors of weight increase from 0- to 6-months while duration, the time from onset to entering treatment, body dissatisfaction andinteroceptive awareness were predictors of weight increase from 0- to 36- months.Conclusions: In designing treatment for adult patients with AN it is essential to include multifacetedinterventions addressed to patients‟ motivation to change, social relations, negative self-imageand body dissatisfaction in order to achieve weight increase. Early detection and thereby shortduration is an additional important factor that contributes to weight increase.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

eating disorders; anorexia nervosa; predictors; weight increase

Hälso- och sjukvårdsforskning

Health and Medical Care Research

Medicine

Medicin

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

ovr (subject category)