CLINICAL AND PHYSICAL FITNESS EVOLUTION IN ADOLESCENTS WITH RESTRICTIVE ANOREXIA NERVOSA AFTER 10 WEEKS PARTICIPATING IN A DAY HOSPITAL PROGRAM

Objective: To analyze the clinical and physical fitness evolution of adolescents with restricting-type of anorexia nervosa (AN-R) after 10 weeks of a daytime hospital program. Methods: Height, weight, body mass index (BMI) blood analysis and physical fitness (ALPHA-Fitness Battery) were measured before and after 10 weeks of treatment. Results: Fourteen female adolescents with AN-R (143 +/- 1.6 years old) participated in this observational study. A significant increase was found in weight (P = 0.009), height (P = 0.003) and body mass index (P = 0.019). Concerning the blood analysis, significant decreases were observed in the mean corpuscular volume (P = 0.020), albumins (P = 0.041) and thyroxine (P = 0.008), while a significant increase was found in the lymphocytes (P = 0.026). Regarding physical fitness, a significant increase in the left handgrip strength was found (P = 0.050). Conclusions: After 10 weeks of follow-up in adolescent patients with AN-R who participated in a day hospital program, there were a positive evolution of anthropometric parameters, blood values and an increase in the left handgrip strength. The non-dominant hand grip strength seems to be the first thing that improves physical fitness after refeeding in female adolescents with AN-R.