At a cutoff of approximately 21%, body fat percentage measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis predicted return of menstruation.
Resumption of menses, an important sign of recovery in adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN), depends on the total body fat percentage. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) has emerged as a portable, radiation-free, low cost, noninvasive method to evaluate body composition. To further explore the association between body fat percentage and return of menses, researchers in Israel obtained periodic BIA measurements in hospitalized adolescents with AN and secondary amenorrhea.
Sixty-two adolescents (aged 10 to 18 years) were followed longitudinally over 5 years. Anthropometric data, total body fat percentage measurements by BIA, and hormone levels were obtained periodically, along with medical and gynecological assessments.
Forty-two particip…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardEli Lilly and Company; Advisory Council, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Subboard for Adolescent Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics
Grant/Research SupportPatty Brisben Foundation
Editorial BoardsOsteoporosis International; Bone; Journal of Adolescent Health
DisclosuresConsultant/Advisory BoardEli Lilly and Company; Advisory Council, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Subboard for Adolescent Medicine, American Board of Pediatrics
Grant/Research SupportPatty Brisben Foundation
Editorial BoardsOsteoporosis International; Bone; Journal of Adolescent Health