Anorexia nervosa: dietary treatment and re-establishment of body weight in 20 cases studied on a metabolic unit.

This paper reviews the nutritional treatment and weight progress of 20 patients with anorexia nervosa studied in a teaching hospital metabolic unit between January 1974 and August 1977. The classification of patients, their pre-admission dietary intakes and weight status are compared. The method of re-establishing weight by closely monitored normal nutrition under conditions of bedrest and chlorpromazine medication are described. It is illustrated by the progress of one 14-year-old girl patient and the study of the rate of increase in weight of the whole group. Satisfactory weight levels were attained by all patients with acceptable time limits.