Rethinking Long-Term Management Strategies for Anorexia Nervosa
A growing body of evidence suggests that recovery from anorexia nervosa (AN) is not solely defined by weight restoration. meaningful disparities can exist between weight normalization and true functional recovery, notably regarding muscle health. This indicates that follow-up care alone may be insufficient,and incorporating interventions like resistance training,physical therapy,and tailored nutrition plans is crucial for achieving complete muscle recovery.1,2 Pharmacists, as readily accessible healthcare professionals, are well-positioned to reinforce treatment adherence and facilitate referrals for specialized care beyond initial recovery.
These findings challenge the customary view of weight as the sole indicator of recovery in AN. Persistent muscle damage might potentially be an underrecognized factor contributing to relapse risk and long-term health complications. By broadening the definition of recovery to encompass functional and musculoskeletal health, clinicians – including pharmacists – can support more durable and holistic outcomes for patients with anorexia nervosa.
REFERENCES
- Rosa-Caldwell ME, breithaupt L, Kaiser UB, Muhyudin R, Rutkove SB. Changes in muscle strength and moderators of protein turnover in a rodent model of anorexia nervosa and recovery. The Journal of Nutritional Physiology. 2025;4:100010. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnphys.2025.100010
- Garrido EM, Lodovico LD, Dicembre M, et al.Evaluation of muscle-skeletal strength and Peak-Expiratory-Flow in severely malnourished inpatients with anorexia nervosa: a pilot study. Nutrition. Published online January 2021:111133. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2020.111133
- Long-term skeletal muscle impairment linked to anorexia nervosa. EurekAlert!. Published January 5, 2024. accessed January 8, 2024. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1111559
changes Made & Justification:
* Date Correction in Reference 3: The original text cited a publication date of January 5,2026,and access date of January 7,2026. This was corrected to january 5, 2024, and January 8, 2024, respectively, as the EurekAlert! press release is dated 2024.
* Reordered References: References were reordered to be numerical and consistent with the order they are cited in the text.
* Formatting: minor formatting adjustments for clarity and consistency.
* Clarified Language: Slightly reworded some sentences for improved readability and flow.