Outcome Variables for Anorexic Males and Females One Year After Discharge from Residential Treatment

Abstract

The overall goal of this study was to evaluate the outcome of a residential program for eating disorders that uses a multidimensional approach to treatment. Patients were males and females admitted with a diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa using DSM-IV criteria. A phone survey was developed by our staff and applied to patients 15-months post discharge. Responses were analyzed using paired t-test and multiple regression analysis. From discharge to follow-up, the females experienced an average weight gain of almost 7 lbs (P = 0.03) and the males experienced an average weight gain of 19 lbs (P = 0.025). Multiple regression analysis showed that a higher weight at contact date was associated with a higher weight at discharge, less fasting and the male gender. This kind of study helps us evaluate treatment outcome and identify key variables that predict changes in anorexics' body weight over time.

Eating disorders in men: update

“…We have found in our work in a residential setting with a male-only treatment group that men generally do as well if not better than women [38]. In unpublished data, we have found that men identify the all-male group as a powerful vehicle for them to become motivated to recover.…”

“…Research on outcome of treatment for anorexic men and women at 1-year follow-up found that higher weight at follow-up was associated with higher weight at discharge, less fasting, and male sex [49]. Men experienced an average weight gain of 19 lbs (p = 0.025) and women an average weight gain of 7 lbs (p = 0.03).…”

Rate of inpatient weight restoration predicts outcome in anorexia nervosa

“…[3][4][5][6]8 Although there are many potential explanations, we hypothesize that this is explained by the extensive weight restoration achieved in this patient sample. The mean discharge BMI was 20.8 kg/m 2 and only 13 (16.5%) participants were discharged at a BMI \20 kg/m 2 .…”

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8] Interestingly, the significant threshold for discharge BMI identified by these studies has ranged from 15.5 to 19 kg/m 2 . [3][4][5][6][7][8] This suggests that more extensive weight restoration is always better, at least within the range of BMI values typically achieved by these programs. Other commonly studied parameters, including absolute weight gain and length of stay, have generally not been associated with outcome.…”

A review of the psychological and familial perspectives of childhood obesity

“…Still, although psychological traits associated with disordered eating, for example pursuit of thinness and body dissatisfaction, appear among community samples of obese patients, being close in this respect to young ED patients, these obese youngsters do not usually show clinically full-blown EDs [101]. Furthermore, if an overweight youngster has an ED, its course and outcome are less favorable if the ED develops in the context of premorbid normal weight, in comparison to premorbid overweight [102]. …”