|
|
|
| January 1997, Volume 21, Number 1, Pages 33-36 |
| Table of contents Previous Abstract Next Article PDF |
 |
| Paper |
| Body fat distribution before and after weight gain in anorexia nervosa |
|
| M Zamboni1, F Armellini1, E Turcato1, P Todisco1, D Gallagher2, R Dalle Grave1, S Heymsfield2 and O Bosello1 |
|
1Institute of Internal Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
2Department of Medicine, Obesity Research Center, St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, USA
|
|
Correspondence: Dr M Zamboni, Institute of Internal Medicine, Policlinico di Borgo Roma, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy |
|
| Abstract |
| OBJECTIVE: To study abdominal fat distribution in anorexia nervosa subjects and to assess the effects of initial weight regain on abdominal fat distribution. DESIGN: Longitudinal, clinical study. The baseline measurement was acquired within four days of admission to the eating disorders clinic. All patients were treated by re-feeding, reinforced by psychotherapy. Following weight regain of at least 5 kg, a second body fat distribution evaluation was performed. Of the 21 subjects evaluated at baseline, 14 achieved the goal of body weight regain and were retested. PATIENTS: Fourteen subjects (age: 18-38 y; body mass index: 11.5-18.3; relative body weight: 54.9-88.3%). MEASUREMENTS: Total, subcutaneous and visceral abdominal adipose tissue areas at the L4-L5 level were evaluated by computed tomography. RESULTS: At baseline the subjects showed a higher proportion of visceral adipose tissue (% visceral adipose tissue = 55.3±26.1). A significant association was observed between body weight and both subcutaneous adipose tissue and total adipose tissue. A regain of body weight of 7.3±1.6 kg was accompanied by a significant increase in total adipose tissue, comprising both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue. The increase observed in subcutaneous adipose tissue, however, was significantly greater than for visceral adipose tissue (212.6% vs 116.8%, respectively, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of the current study show a higher proportion of visceral adipose tissue than subcutaneous adipose tissue in anorexia nervosa subjects. With regain of body weight there is a preferential regain of subcutaneous adipose tissue. These data demonstrate a redistribution of abdominal adipose tissue with weight regain in anorexia nervosa subjects. |
|
| Keywords |
| body fat distribution; anorexia nervosa; weight gain |
|
|
|
|
| accepted 20 September 1996 |
|
| January 1997, Volume 21, Number 1, Pages 33-36 |
| Table of contents Previous Abstract Next Article PDF |
|
|
