Published on: Jan 09, 2026
Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychiatric disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain and severe caloric restriction, often leading to dangerous weight loss. It affects an estimated 1–4% of women, and individuals with a history of the condition are about three times more likely to die prematurely than those without it.
Beyond fat loss, anorexia nervosa (AN) causes significant reductions in skeletal muscle mass and strength often by 20–30, which are critical for longevity and everyday functioning. While treatment focuses on addressing psychological factors and restoring body weight, weight gain alone may not fully reflect physical recovery.
“In clinical research, weight recovery is typically defined as reaching a body mass index of 18.5 or at least 95% of age-predicted norms,” says Megan Rosa-Caldwell, an assistant professor of exercise science at the University of Arkansas. “Once individuals maintain weight above the underweight range, medical treatment is often reduced.”
Suggests that muscle impairments persist even after weight restoration. Using a rat model, Rosa-Caldwell’s team examined muscle recovery following periods of calorie restriction and refeeding. Despite full weight regain and even surpassing healthy controls rats showed lasting reductions in muscle size, strength, and quality. Anabolic signaling pathways involved in muscle growth also remained suppressed.
These findings suggest that musculoskeletal damage from anorexia nervosa may be longer-lasting than previously assumed. Given that AN in humans is often chronic and marked by relapse with only about half achieving sustained recovery muscle loss may represent a persistent and underrecognized consequence, highlighting the need for treatment strategies that extend beyond weight restoration alone.
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