[Anorexia nervosa in adolescence].

Anorexia nervosa is a disease of prepuberty and puberty occurring predominantly in females. There is growing evidence that it is increasing in frequency. The essential features are an intense fear of becoming obese, a disturbance of body image, amenorrhea, and significant weight loss followed by secondary physical changes. The disorder seems to be a product of the reciprocal interplay of biological, familial and sociocultural factors leading to starvation which, in turn, provide feedback perpetuating the anorexia nervosa syndrome. Patients often need therapeutic help to break through the denial. Our management therapy concept includes weight restoration and stabilization, as well as individual and family therapy. At follow-up, 50% of the anorectic patients reveal a good outcome, 25% fall in an intermediate category, and the rest show a poor prognosis.