The Impact of Anorexia Nervosa and the Basis for Non-Pharmacological Interventions

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder with an unknown etiology that is characterized by an individual’s preoccupation with their weight and body structure while denying the severity of their low body weight. Due to the fact that anorexia nervosa is multifaceted and may indicate the coexistence of genetic, social, hormonal, and psychiatric disorders, a description of non-pharmacological interventions can be used to ameliorate or reduce the symptoms of this condition. Consequently, the purpose of the present narrative review is to describe the profile’s context in the anorexic person as well as the support they would require from their family and environment. In addition, it is aimed at examining preventative and non-pharmacological interventions, such as nutritional interventions, physical activity interventions, psychological interventions, psychosocial interventions, and physical therapy interventions. To reach the narrative review aims, a critical review was conducted utilizing both primary sources, such as scientific publications, and secondary sources, such as bibliographic indexes, web pages, and databases. Nutritional interventions include nutritional education and an individualized treatment for each patient, physical activity interventions include allowing patients to perform controlled physical activity, psychological interventions include family therapy and evaluation of the existence of other psychological disorders, psychosocial interventions include management of the relationship between the patient and social media and physical therapy interventions include relaxation massages and exercises to relieve pain. All these non-pharmacological interventions need to be individualized based on each patient’s needs.

Gender Differences in Body Satisfaction Perception: The Role of Nutritional Habits, Psychological Traits, and Physical Activity in a Strength-Training Population

“…In fact, dissatisfaction with physical appearance and the pursuit of aesthetic perfection can have serious consequences for individuals’ health [ 4 ]. Body satisfaction plays a crucial role in mental health, contributing to self-esteem and overall well-being [ 5 ]. Dissatisfaction with physical appearance, on the other hand, is linked to negative mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders [ 6 ].…”

“…The pursuit of aesthetic perfection, fuelled by societal and media influences, can lead to unhealthy behaviors like excessive exercise or disordered eating [ 7 ]. Therefore, promoting a balanced and realistic body image is essential for both physical and mental health in strength-trained subjects [ 5 ].…”

Impact of Malnutrition in Critically Ill Patients on Intensive Care Unit

“…Malnutrition is a significant health concern that may arise from fundamental factors, including poverty which results in insufficient food availability, or secondary factors stemming from disease-induced conditions [2] . Secondary malnutrition can arise from various processes, including diminished food consumption due to disease-related anorexia, and metabolic stress resulting from the disease or its therapies [3] . The physiological reaction to stress accelerates the metabolic rate, inducing a hormonal disruption that triggers heightened protein breakdown, depleting protein stores and subsequently affecting the functioning of many organs and immunological defense mechanisms [4] .…”

Body Image, Nutrition, and Mental Health

“…Clemente-Suárez et al summarized the non-pharmacological interventions in people with AN in a narrative review and thus covered nutritional interventions, psychological and family therapy, social media use management, and physical therapy interventions including relaxation, massages, and exercises [ 14 ].…”

“…The GDF-15 receptor GFRAL, which is known to be involved in appetite regulation, was found to be expressed across various central-nervous as well as peripheral tissues [ 12 ], and visfatin, S100B, and leptin are associated with the development of metabolic syndrome in people with bipolar depression [ 13 ]. Four articles of this Special Issue [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ] summarized already available (e.g., nutritional interventions, psychological and family therapy) [ 14 ] and experimental (smart toy Purrble) [ 15 ] therapies for AN, effective therapies for the treatment of obesity (e.g., physical activity, dietary and nutritional intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy, clinical and self-monitoring) [ 16 ], as well as the preventive and therapeutic options for oral health consequences of EDs [ 17 ]. Witaszek et al’s finding that liraglutide and semaglutide were associated with increased cognitive restraint [ 8 ] is also therapeutically relevant as these GLP-1 receptor agonists are approved for the treatment of obesity.…”