Food avoidance in anorexia nervosa: associated and predicting factors.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Qualitative food avoidance is a significant issue in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and restoring diet diversity is an important part of the treatment process. We aimed to identify clinical factors which drive food avoidance and predict its maintenance in patients with AN.

Methods

In this multicentre longitudinal study, 130 female outpatients with AN were assessed before and after 4 months of care in clinical centres specialized in AN. We assessed levels of avoidance of 16 food items, as well as body mass index (BMI), eating disorder severity, symptoms of depression and anxiety, emotional state, daily-life functioning, and body image perception.

Results

We found that qualitative food avoidance was associated with the clinical severity of AN, anxiety and m

SUBMITTER: Di Lodovico L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9950187 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature