Anorexia nervosa

Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) typically have low body weight, intense fear of gaining weight, and a body image disturbance.

While more often detected in women, cases of AN in young men may be under-represented.

Weight restoration with re-feeding techniques is essential for prevention of sequelae, such as heart failure, fertility problems, and osteoporosis.

Patients with AN are often identified through family referral, paediatric monitoring of weight during routine physical examination, and the patient's physical complaints.

Early intervention is key in order to prevent long-term psychiatric and physical complications of AN.

Among psychiatric illnesses, AN has one of the highest premature mortality rates (with a risk of premature death of approximately 5-fold greater than that of peers).

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterised by restriction of caloric intake leading to low body weight, an intense fear of gaining weight, and a body image disturbance.