Abstract
IntroductionAnorexia Nervosa (AN) is an eating disorder characterized by low body weight, fear of gaining weight and distorted perception of body. Patients have rigidity, repetition of thoughts, alterations in decision-making skills and poor ability to provide new solutions. Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a new eating disorder characterized by the absence of distress about body shape or fear of weight gain. Studies on neurocognitive aspects are few and no effective treatments are known.ObjectivesThe aim of our study was to further investigate the executive functions’ domains in AN and ARFID children and adolescents, to provide possible distinct neurocognitive traits in these patients.MethodsAN or ARFID patients (15 + 15; range 6-18 years), were assessed by neuropsychological tools, such as: Wechsler Intelligence Scale to measure I.Q. profile, NEPSY-II to explore attention and executive functions, Tower of London test to detect planning and problem solving abilities, the Bells Test to evaluate visual selective and focused attention, the Wisconsing Card Sorting Test (WCST) for assessment of flexibility and directing behaviors by achieving a goal and the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCF) to assess visual-spatial abilities.ResultsPatients with ARFID presented impairments in several executive functions domains, with difficulties in the impulse inhibition, in the sustained attention and in visual-spatial skills. Finally, in their anamnesis a higher comorbidity with neurodevelopmental disorders such as specific learning disorder has been underlined.ConclusionsThe identification of specific deficit in neuropsychological profile of ARFID patients could be a rehabilitation target, together with standardized treatment.
Highlights
The term Orthorexia derives from the Greek “ortho – correct” and “orexis – appetite”; Orthorexia Nervosa is a pathological fixation with healthy eating that, starting with the idea to obtain a maximum health with a proper diet, leads to malnourishment and other medical sequelae, loss of relationships, loss of selfesteem, poor quality of life in general
The main aim of this study is to investigate its presence in a sample of patients already diagnosed with a canonical eating disorder and to understand eventual overlaps with other clinical disorders in order to optimize treatment and follow up
The expected rates of Orthorexia Nervosa in the general population are between 6.9% and 57.6%, with a peak of 81.8% in specific populations, fact that places our examined sample in the lower side of the prevalence previously considered in other studies
Summary
Anorexia is a disorder associated with severe disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions (distorted weight perception, body dissatisfaction). Results: Increases in body fat and decreases in lean muscle mass were observed These were accompained by an improvement in participants’ anxiety and relational skills and in the specific disease related symptoms. Conclusions: Results indicate the potential of EV to help patients with eating disorder regaining awareness of themselves and their body, a critical element for their future reintegration in the contexts of everyday life and society. This is a pilot, the protocol developed represents an initial step to promote the application of EV in persons with eating disorders, informing feasibility in the design of larger controlled studies and suggesting critical variables to be targeted
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