An observational study in Anorexia Nervosa, sponsored by Istituto Auxologico Italiano. Completed at 1 site in Italy. Open to female participants aged 12 Years to 18 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-11-06.
Sponsored by Istituto Auxologico Italiano · Observational
Body Mass Index (BMI) is currently the most widely recommended parameter for identifying underweight subjects. Among eating disorder diseases, anorexia nervosa (AN) is the one with the highest mortality rate and with relapses between 12 and 27%. To date, recovery programs allow approximately 40% of subjects to achieve recovery, 30% demonstrate improvements, and 20% remain chronically affected. These data demonstrate the importance of continuously monitoring changes in weight and body composition of these subjects. Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) is widely used to determine body composition in AN. BIA provides various parameters, such as lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), total body water (TBW), and phase angle (PhA). Among these parameters, in addition to LM and FM, PhA has also been used to characterize underweight subjects with AN. In addition to the observed relationship between PhA and body composition in individuals with AN, PhA has also been related to the basal metabolic rate (BMR). BMR undergoes changes mainly due to loss of muscle mass and a significant reduction in BMR has been observed in AN subjects. Finally, physical activity represents a significant determinant of body composition and can help regulate BMR.
Therefore, monitoring changes in body composition (LM, FM, and PhA) and indirect indices (lean mass index and fat mass index) using BIA, together with monitoring changes in BMR and physical activity level, could provide important support for the continuous control and definition of the clinical stage of the disease in patients with AN.
The aim of this study is to determine body composition, basal metabolic rate, and level of physical activity in Anorexia Nervosa and normal weight subjects to identify the most consistent parameters to define the clinical stage of the disease in subjects with AN.
Body Mass Index (BMI) is currently the most widely recommended parameter for identifying underweight subjects. Among eating disorder diseases, anorexia nervosa (AN) is the one with the highest mortality rate and with relapses between 12 and 27%. To date, recovery programs allow approximately 40% of subjects to achieve recovery, 30% demonstrate improvements, and 20% remain chronically affected. These data demonstrate the importance of continuously monitoring changes in weight and body composition of these subjects. Bioelectrical impedance (BIA) is widely used to determine body composition in AN. BIA provides various parameters, such as lean mass (LM), fat mass (FM), total body water (TBW), and phase angle (PhA). Among these parameters, in addition to LM and FM, PhA has also been used to characterize underweight subjects with AN. In addition to the observed relationship between PhA and body composition in individuals with AN, PhA has also been related to the basal metabolic rate (BMR). BMR undergoes changes mainly due to loss of muscle mass and a significant reduction in BMR has been observed in AN subjects. Finally, physical activity represents a significant determinant of body composition and can help regulate BMR.
Therefore, monitoring changes in body composition (LM, FM, and PhA) and indirect indices (lean mass index and fat mass index) using BIA, together with monitoring changes in BMR and physical activity level, could provide important support for the continuous control and definition of the clinical stage of the disease in patients with AN.
The aim of this study is to determine body composition, basal metabolic rate, and level of physical activity in Anorexia Nervosa and normal weight subjects to identify the most consistent parameters to define the clinical stage of the disease in subjects with AN.
469 studies on the registry are indexed under Anorexia Nervosa; 127 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 32 is below the median of 78 across 142 observational studies indexed under Anorexia Nervosa.
Browse Anorexia Nervosa studies →Istituto Auxologico Italiano is the lead sponsor of 202 studies on the registry; 68 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
30 female adolescents with Anorexia nervosa, according to the diagnostic criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), hospitalized at the Division of Auxologia, San Giuseppe Hospital, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, IRCCS, Piancavallo, Italy
30 normal weight adolescents recruited at the Mountain Sports Study Center of the Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Italy
Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa:
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Adolescents with normal weight:
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Female adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa
Other: Collection of anthropometric and biochemical parameters
Female normal weight adolescents
Other: Collection of anthropometric and biochemical parameters
Collection of anthropometric parameters biochemical parameters basal metabolic rate body composition questionnaires
Fat-free mass
Fat-free mass as assessed by bioelectrical impedance
Time frame: Baseline
Fat mass
Fat mass as assessed by bioelectrical impedance
Time frame: Baseline
Basal Metabolic Rate
Basal Metabolic Rate as calculated
Time frame: Baseline
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is completed, as verified in Nov 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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