Research has found that the following factors seem to predict better recovery rates for patients with Anorexia Nervosa:
- Higher initial rate of weight gain during re-feeding. (over 0.8 kg/week, or 1.75lbs/week) Study: Rate of inpatient weight restoration predicts outcome in anorexia nervosa.
- Younger age of diagnosis and Higher BMI at diagnosis and discharge: (BMI >17.5 in adolescents age 10-18) Study: The relevance of body weight in the medium-term to long-term course of adolescent anorexia nervosa. Findings from a multisite study.
- Early intervention: (within the first 3 years after diagnosis) Study: The case for early intervention in anorexia nervosa: theoretical exploration of maintaining factors
- Higher percentage of body fat at weight restoration. Study: Does percent body fat predict outcome in anorexia nervosa?
- Higher energy density and variety of foods during re-feeding and weight restoration. Study: Dietary energy density and diet variety as predictors of outcome in anorexia nervosa.
- Higher levels of weight restoration and the avoidance of weight loss immediately following acute treatment. Study: The slippery slope: prediction of successful weight maintenance in anorexia nervosa.Study: What predicts maintenance of weight for adolescents medically hospitalized for anorexia nervosa?
- Continuation of high-calorie intake and low activity levels up to 6 months after weight restoration. Study: Caloric consumption and activity levels after weight recovery in anorexia nervosa: A prolonged delay in normalization.