Weight gain and eating disorder symptoms among individuals with atypical anorexia nervosa

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between weight gain and eating disorder (ED) symptoms among adults receiving treatment for atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN), to determine whether those who had a higher percent of expected body weight (%EBW) at discharge exhibited lower ED symptoms than those who gained less weight, and to compare this group to a matched sample of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Method

Participants were 96 adults receiving treatment at an ED treatment facility between December 2020 and May 2023. The Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) was completed at admission and discharge, and %EBW was obtained at admission and discharge.

Results

All EDE-Q subscale scores improved from admission to discharge for patients with AAN and patients with AN. Neither %EBW at discharge nor weight gain were associated with EDE-Q subscale scores for those with AAN. For patients with AN, %EBW at discharge and weight gain were associated with EDE-Q Restraint at discharge.

Conclusions

Weight restoring to a higher level and gaining more weight were not associated with EDE-Q scores at discharge for AAN. Further research is needed to determine how weight restoration using intensive treatment settings affects remission and recovery in patients with AAN.

Highlights

• Among patients with atypical anorexia nervosa (AAN) and anorexia nervosa, all eating disorder Examination-Questionnaire subscale scores improved from admission to discharge in a higher level of care treatment programme for eating disorders.
• Neither percent Expected Body Weight at discharge nor weight gain were associated with Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire subscale scores for those with AAN.
• Weight restoring to a higher level and gaining more weight were not associated with better eating disorder symptomatology at discharge for those with AAN.