STEPS TO RECOVERY THE NUTRITIONAL INTERVENTION AND EVOLUTION IN A PATIENT WITH ANOREXIA NERVOSA: A CASE STUDY.

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder with an unknown etiology that is characterized by an individual's extreme concern for self-image and body weight, severe dieting, and weight loss, all this while denying the severity of their low body weight. According to the statistics, 1 in 100 adolescents struggle with anorexia nervosa and it's the third most common chronic illness diagnosed amongst them. Case Report: The case of a 16-year-old teen girl is being presented, who was brought to the dietitian to seek help, by her mother, after previously being admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. Her first InBody assessment showed a total of 45kg body weight, with a BMI of 15.6 and 3.1kg of body fat mass, which was most concerning. She also presented with a lack of energy, amenorrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, an unhealthy relationship with food, and the fear of gaining more weight. Discussions : The main goal of the nutritional intervention was the restoration of a healthy body fat mass while building a better relationship with food and body image. This is an ongoing collaboration that started in December 2023, with 1 on 1 individualized assistance with the patient, every two weeks. We focused on introducing new foods, nutritional education, and daily monitoring with the help of a food diary and after a few months the patient reached a total body weight of 53.2kg, with a BMI of 18.4 and 9kg of body fat mass. It's important to mention that as dietitians we were constantly communicating with the patient's doctor, therapist as well as family. After a few months, the patient's health was significantly restored, and her relationship with food and body image was considerably improved, thanks to a multidisciplinary approach. Conclusions: This case study exemplifies the critical role of nutritional intervention alongside psychological and medical support for teens with eating disorders. The cooperation between the dietitian, medical specialists, psychologist, and the patient's family is essential for the patient's well-being but it doesn't assure linear progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]