The role of total body fat mass and trunk fat mass, combined with other endocrine factors, in menstrual recovery and psychopathology of adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa

Abstract

Objective: To determine the threshold of total body and trunk fat mass required for menstrual recovery and to assess the impact of body composition in psychopathology of adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (AN).

Methods: Prospective study of 60 adolescents presented with secondary amenorrhea and diagnosed with AN. Anthropometrics, body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, hormonal studies and responses to mental health screens (EAT-26), were obtained at the beginning and at complete weight restoration, in all adolescents, independently of menstrual recovery (Group A) or not (Group B).

Results: At weight restoration, Group A total body fat mass, trunk fat mass, and trunk/extremities fat ratio were significantly higher (p < .001) than Group B. Menstruation was expected in 20% of total body fat mass and 20% of trunk fat mass (% of total trunk tissue). At time of menstrual recovery, total body fat mass (%) and trunk fat mass (%) were significantly negatively correlated with EAT-26 (r = −0.363, p = .032) and (r = −0.416, p = .013), respectively, while an increase of 0.40% of trunk fat mass (%) lowers EAT-26 by one unit.

Discussion: Trunk fat mass distribution can positively influence psychopathology of adolescents with AN.

Chinese abstract

目的：确定神经性厌食症（AN）青少年月经恢复所需的全身及躯干脂肪量阈值, 评估体成分的精神病理学影响。方法：这是一项关于60名患有继发性闭经和神经性厌食症青少年的前瞻性研究。采用双能X线骨密度仪、激素研究和心理健康检查反应(EAT-26)得到所有青少年[月经恢复（A组）或不恢复（B组）]在开始和完全体重恢复时的人体测量和身体成分。结果：体重恢复时, A组的全身脂肪量、躯干脂肪量和躯干四肢脂肪比明显高于B组（P<.001）。月经预期在20%的全身脂肪量和20%的躯干脂肪量（占全部躯干组织的百分比）。在月经恢复时, 全身脂肪量（%）和躯干脂肪量（%）分别与EAT-26呈显著负相关(r=-0.363, p=.032)、(r=-0.416, p=.013), 尽管躯干脂肪量（%）增加0.40%会降低EAT-26一个单位。结论：躯干脂肪分布能正面影响AN青少年的精神病理学。

Keywords:

• Body composition
• Anorexia Nervosa
• adolescence
• amenorrhea
• psychopathology

Acknowledgements

The authors declare that there are no acknowledgments regarding the publication of this paper.

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