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Objective Method Results Discussion Public Significance The objective of this study is to compare treatment trajectories in anorexia nervosa (AN) and atypical AN.Adolescents and adults with AN (n = 319) or atypical AN (n = 67) in a partial hospitalization program (PHP) completed diagnostic interviews and self‐report questionnaires measuring eating disorder (ED), depression, and anxiety symptoms throughout treatment.Premorbid weight loss did not differ between diagnoses. Individuals with atypical AN had more comorbid diagnoses, but groups did not differ on specific diagnoses. ED psychopathology and comorbid symptoms of depression/anxiety did not differ at admission between groups nor did rate of change in ED psychopathology and comorbid symptoms of depression/anxiety from admission to 1‐month. From admission to discharge, individuals with atypical AN had a faster reduction in ED psychopathology and comorbid symptoms of depression and anxiety (ps < 0.05; rs = 0.01–0.32); however, there were no group differences in ED psychopathology or depression symptoms at discharge (ps>.50; ds = .01–.30). Individuals with atypical AN had lower anxiety at discharge compared to individuals with AN (p = 0.05; d = .4). Length of stay did not differ between groups (p = 0.11; d = .21).Groups had similar ED treatment trajectories, suggesting more similarities than differences. PHP may also be effective for AAN.This study supports previous research that individuals with AN and atypical AN have more similarities than differences. Results from this study indicate that individuals with AN and atypical AN have similar treatment outcomes for both ED psychopathology and depressive symptoms; however, individuals with atypical AN have lower anxiety symptoms at discharge compared to individuals with AN. AN and atypical AN also have more symptom similarity at admission and throughout treatment, which challenges their current designation as distinct disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Weight restoration or weight gain is a common goal in eating disorder treatment. However, approaches to determine expected body weight (EBW) vary. A standardized approach based on normative data for a patient's age and gender uses weight associated with median BMI (mBMI). An individualized approach predicts EBW based on a patient's individual growth trajectory. Little research has examined differences in these approaches. Method: Weight and clinical data were collected from patients ages 6–20 enrolled in virtual eating disorder treatment. EBW associated with mBMI was compared with EBW using the individualized approach. Linear mixed effects models examined differences in weight, eating disorder symptoms, depression, and anxiety, and whether EBW approach varied by patient characteristics. Results: Patients (N = 609) were on average age 15.6 (2.29), 85% were cisgender female, and predominantly diagnosed with anorexia nervosa (83.1%). The individualized approach led to significantly higher EBW on average (mean difference = 8.4 lbs [SE:.75]; p <.001) compared to mBMI; 70% of patients had a higher EBW using the individualized approach. Notably, EBW varied based on gender and diagnosis and it took longer on average to achieve individualized EBW. Time was the strongest predictor of changes in psychosocial outcomes and there were no significant differences by EBW approach. Discussion: Results from this study indicate that an individualized approach led to significantly higher EBWs compared with using mBMI. As underestimation of EBW may lead to higher risk of relapse, eating disorder professionals should consider using an individualized approach for setting EBW. Public Significance: For eating disorder patients who need to gain weight, accurately estimating target body weight for eating disorder treatment is critical to recovery and preventing relapse. An individualized, patient‐centered approach to estimating target body weight more accurately estimated target body weight than the standardized, median body mass index approach. Using an individualized approach to treatment may improve a patient's likelihood of full recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Individuals with eating disorders (EDs) often have difficulty tolerating uncomfortable body sensations. As such, anxiety sensitivity specific to gastrointestinal (GI) sensations, has relevance for EDs. However, to date, no validated measures of this construct exist in EDs. Thus, the present study sought to validate the visceral sensitivity index (VSI), a 15‐item measure originally validated in an irritable bowel syndrome sample, in an ED sample and explore associations with ED symptoms. Method: Two hundred and sixty‐six adolescents (n = 116) and adults (n = 150) in an ED partial hospital program completed the VSI and related measures at admission. Confirmatory factor analysis examined the factor structure of the VSI and hierarchical regression analyses explored associations between the VSI and ED symptoms. Results: The original version of the VSI had adequate model fit. An alternative 13‐item model removing specific items with poor fit and less theoretical relevance to EDs also demonstrated good fit. The 15‐item and 13‐item VSI had strong internal consistency (α =.93–.94), and correlation results supported the convergent and divergent validity of both versions. Higher visceral sensitivity was associated with elevated body dissatisfaction, cognitive restraint, purging, restricting, and excessive exercise (p‐values <.05), beyond length of illness, body mass index, and trait anxiety. Discussion: Results support the relevance of GI‐specific anxiety in EDs and suggest that the original 15‐item VSI and modified 13‐item VSI have strong psychometric properties in an ED sample. Given comparable model fit and psychometric properties, both versions of the VSI may be used for future ED research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]