International Journal of Eating Disorders

Volume 51, Issue 8 pp. 870-878

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Relationship between desired weight constructs and eating disorder severity following treatment for anorexia nervosa

Hope K. Boyd BA,

Corresponding Author

Hope K. Boyd BA

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0001-9378-0568

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Hope K. Boyd and Lindsay P. Bodell contributed equally to this study.

Correspondence Hope Kristine Boyd, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Lindsay P. Bodell PhD,

Lindsay P. Bodell PhD

orcid.org/0000-0001-8346-7762

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Hope K. Boyd and Lindsay P. Bodell contributed equally to this study.

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Karen M. Jennings PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC,

Karen M. Jennings PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC

orcid.org/0000-0001-9622-2983

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

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Andrea K. Graham PhD,

Andrea K. Graham PhD

orcid.org/0000-0002-9736-8906

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

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Ross D. Crosby PhD,

Ross D. Crosby PhD

Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, North Dakota

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota

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Jennifer E. Wildes PhD,

Jennifer E. Wildes PhD

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

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Hope K. Boyd BA,

Corresponding Author

Hope K. Boyd BA

[email protected]

orcid.org/0000-0001-9378-0568

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Hope K. Boyd and Lindsay P. Bodell contributed equally to this study.

Correspondence Hope Kristine Boyd, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author

Lindsay P. Bodell PhD,

Lindsay P. Bodell PhD

orcid.org/0000-0001-8346-7762

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Hope K. Boyd and Lindsay P. Bodell contributed equally to this study.

Search for more papers by this author

Karen M. Jennings PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC,

Karen M. Jennings PhD, RN, PMHNP-BC

orcid.org/0000-0001-9622-2983

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Search for more papers by this author

Andrea K. Graham PhD,

Andrea K. Graham PhD

orcid.org/0000-0002-9736-8906

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Search for more papers by this author

Ross D. Crosby PhD,

Ross D. Crosby PhD

Neuropsychiatric Research Institute, Fargo, North Dakota

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Search for more papers by this author

Jennifer E. Wildes PhD,

Jennifer E. Wildes PhD

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

Search for more papers by this author

First published: 07 May 2018

https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.22879

Citations: 6

Funding information: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Grant Number: F32 HD089586; National Institute of Mental Health, Grant Numbers: K01 MH080020, T32 MH082761

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Abstract

Background

Desired weight is an indicator of illness severity in youth with anorexia nervosa (AN), but its impact on eating disorder symptoms over time and in adults is unknown. This study examined longitudinal associations between two desired weight constructs (desired weight percentage, weight difference percentage) and eating disorder severity and body mass index (BMI) in patients aged 16–62 years old with AN presenting for inpatient or day hospital treatment.

Method

Participants (N = 160) completed the Eating Disorder Examination and measures of height and weight at treatment admission, discharge, and 3, 6, and 12 months post-discharge. Desired weight percentage was calculated as [desired BMI(desired weight in kg/height in meters²)/healthy BMI] × 100. weight difference percentage was calculated as [(actual weight-desired weight)/actual weight] × 100.

Results

At admission, participants were approximately 78.6% of a healthy BMI and desired to be 81% of a healthy BMI. During the year following treatment, participants were 89% of a healthy BMI, but wanted to be 86% of a healthy BMI. Individuals with lower desired weight percentage (wanting to be a lower percentage of a healthy BMI) or higher weight difference percentage (wanting to lose a larger percentage of weight) at treatment admission endorsed greater eating disorder severity across time. Additionally, individuals with higher desired weight percentage or weight difference percentage had higher BMIs at intake, and greater increases in BMI over time.

Discussion

Results highlight that desired weight constructs represent correlates of illness severity in AN and may inform an individual's likely weight trajectory during and after treatment.

Supporting Information

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Citing Literature

Volume51, Issue8

August 2018

Pages 870-878

Relationship between desired weight constructs and eating disorder severity following treatment for anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Discussion

Supporting Information

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Information

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Relationship between desired weight constructs and eating disorder severity following treatment for anorexia nervosa

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Discussion

Supporting Information

REFERENCES

Citing Literature

References

Related

Information

About Wiley Online Library

Help & Support

Opportunities

Connect with Wiley