Background: Anorexia Nervosa is a highly lethal illness that is also associated with many medical complications. Food restriction and weight loss define this illness. Most of its physical complications are reversible with weight restoration, with the notable exception of the loss of bone density, which is commonly present in anorexia nervosa.
Methods: A comprehensive scientific literature review was performed in order to explore bone disease in anorexia nervosa.
Results: The pathophysiology of the loss of bone mineral density in anorexia nervosa was elucidated, along with the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis in patients with anorexia nervosa, including the nutritional approach to weight restoration.
Conclusions: Loss of bone mineral density in anorexia nervosa is very aggressive. Nutritional rehabilitation is a cornerstone to treating this, along with medicinal considerations.
Keywords: anorexia nervosa; malnutrition; osteoporosis.