Anorexia nervosa
Also called: anorexia and bone loss, eating disorder bone loss
What it means
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder involving severe calorie restriction and low body weight that can seriously weaken bones, especially when it causes loss of menstrual periods.
A history of anorexia, even in the past, can mean lower bone density and higher fracture risk later in life.
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder marked by severe food restriction and very low body weight, and it has serious effects on bone health. Low body weight and malnutrition disrupt the hormones that normally keep bone strong, and many women with anorexia develop amenorrhea (loss of periods), which means low estrogen — a hormone essential for maintaining bone density.
This combination of low estrogen, poor nutrition, and low body weight can cause significant bone loss, sometimes severe enough to cause osteopenia or osteoporosis even in young people. Because bone is normally built up most during younger years, anorexia during adolescence or young adulthood can also prevent a person from ever reaching their full peak bone mass, raising fracture risk for life.
If you or someone you know has a history of anorexia nervosa with amenorrhea, this is considered a reason for closer bone monitoring, since the skeletal effects can persist even after weight and periods return to normal. A doctor can advise on appropriate testing, such as bone density scanning, and discuss nutrition, weight restoration, and whether any additional treatment is appropriate for your situation.
Severe calorie restriction and lost periods from anorexia can lower bone density and raise fracture risk, even years later.
Where this leads
WordCurious why early life matters so much? See how building higher peak bone mass earlier gives you more reserve before later bone loss.
Where the Academy teaches it
This page is the short version. The lessons teach it in full, with the context around it and a quiz to lock it in.
Related words
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods, often from low estrogen caused by intense exercise, low body weight,…
Female athlete triad, now often called RED-S, is a condition where not eating enough to match heavy exercise leads…
Premature menopause is when periods stop before about age 45, due to primary ovarian insufficiency, ovary removal,…
Estrogen deficiency is a drop in estrogen levels — from menopause, ovary removal, or other causes — that speeds up…
Low body mass index (BMI) means someone is thinner than average for their height, which is linked to lower bone…
Peak bone mass is the maximum amount and density of bone a person builds, usually reached by early adulthood, before…
Education only, not medical advice. Decisions about tests, medications and treatment belong with your own doctor. OsteoStrong does not diagnose, treat or cure any disease.
