Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the relationships between the body composition elements in women with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Description of methods: In this study women with AN and healthy women aged 19–33 years were investigated. Anthropometry for height, weight and body mass index (BMI) was performed. Body composition including lean mass, fat mass, fractional contribution of fat, bone mineral content (BMC), and bone mineral density (BMD) was analysed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (iDXA, GE Lunar). Pearson’s correlation coefficient was determined to assess associations. Statistical significance was accepted when P<0.05.

Results: In total, 52 females were assessed: 17 AN patients and 35 healthy women, with no differences in average age and height (25.12±4.69 vs 23.49±2.48 years and 1.66±0.05 m vs 1.67±0.05 m, respectively). Compared to controls, women with AN presented lower body mass and lower BMI: 46.9±4.28 vs 59.9±7.07 kg, and 17.10±1.58 vs 21.37±2.02 kg/m². Total lean mass, fat mass, fractional contribution of fat, BMC, and BMD were significantly lower in AN subjects. There was no significant difference in android/gynoid ratio between groups. In women with AN, the correlations between percentages of gynoid fat and legs fat (r=0.942, P<0.001) as well as between legs lean mass and legs BMC (r=0.724, P=0.001) were found. Lumbar spine BMD correlated with total legs mass (r=0.55, P=0.04). In controls, more associations were found: gynoid fat (%) correlated with lumbar spine (r=0.374, P=0.027), total hip (r=0.341, P=0.045), femoral neck (r=0.391, P=0.02) BMD, and with legs lean mass (r=0.442, P=0.008). Also, the legs lean mass was associated with lumbar spine (r=0.373, P=0.027), total hip (r=0.406, P=0.015), and femoral neck (r=0.507, P=0.002) BMD.

Conclusion: In patients with anorexia nervosa, gynoid fat (%) correlated with legs regional fat (%) but no associations between gynoid or legs regional fat and BMD were found.