Aim: To analyze changes in bone mineral density (BMD) and the effect of weight recovery on the restoration of bone mass in adolescent females with anorexia nervosa (AN) with moderate malnutrition.
Study design: We evaluated lumbar and femoral BMD in 27 females with restrictive AN with malnutrition and amenorrhea for over (M+PA) or less than (M+SA) one year and 12 with normal nutrition and amenorrhea for over one year (N+PA) followed for 24 months.
Results: BMI remained below -1.5 SD in M+PA and increased at 24 months in M+SA. M+PA had low lumbar and femoral neck BMD at diagnosis, decreasing at 24 months. Lumbar BMD in N+PA and M+SA was reduced, with an increase in M+SA at 24 months.
Conclusions: Moderate malnutrition in AN induces loss of bone mass at the lumbar and femoral levels. Weight gain and resumption of menses increases bone mass, especially in the lumbar spine.