Leicestershire Eating Disorders Service
Health problems resulting from eating
disorders
Osteoporosis
This leaflet provides information for patients about osteoporosis.
This is a physical problem that can result from eating an
inadequate diet and maintaining a low body weight.
We have given you this leaflet to provide you with information
that is important to you, not to worry you or upset you. The
information in this leaflet may raise questions to discuss with your
doctor or therapist. It will help explain why you may need certain
blood tests or other investigations.
Leicestershire Adult Eating Disorders Service
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
Bennion Centre
Groby Road
Leicester
LE3 9DZ
Tele: 0116 225 2557
Author: Dr Rebecca Cashmore
Reviewed: July 2013
Review date: July 2014
Osteoporosis
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Osteoporosis literally means ‘porous bones’.
When it occurs, bones become less dense or
thinner, making them fragile and more likely to
break.
Osteoporosis is a ‘silent’ disease as people cannot
feel their bones getting thinner. The first sign of
osteoporosis may not be until a fracture has
occurred.
Low weight is a risk factor for osteoporosis and
people with Anorexia Nervosa are at high risk of
developing osteoporosis, especially if they remain
at a low weight for a long period of time.
Osteoporosis may occur after approximately a
year of illness but will become more severe over
time, until weight restoration is achieved.
Prior to the development of osteopororis bones
may start to thin and this stage is known as
“osteopenia”. If weight loss continues or persists
then this may develop further into osteoporosis.
The reasons that low weight is a risk factor for
osteoporosis in people with Anorexia Nervosa
include lack of oestrogen due to a loss of the
menstrual cycle, other hormonal changes,
malnutrition and deficiencies in magnesium,
calcium and vitamin D.
Other more general risk factors for osteoporosis
include smoking, some medical conditions such as
thyroid disease, heavy drinking, other causes of
malnutrition, a family history of osteoporosis and
long term steroid use.
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Osteoporosis is not fully reversible but
prevention of further bone loss and some
increase in bone density can occur.
Weight restoration and a return of the menstrual
cycle is the mainstay in the management of
osteoporosis in people with Anorexia nervosa.
Physical exercise can be protective in
osteoporosis but excessive exercise in people
who are low in weight is harmful. It will lead to
further weight loss, continued loss of the
menstrual cycle and therefore increase the
chance of progressive loss of bone density and
fractures.
Currently, there is little clear evidence to support
the use of hormonal treatments such as the oral
contraceptive pill or HRT in the management of
osteoporosis in people with Anorexia Nervosa.
Calcium and vitamin D supplements are
sometimes used but they will not be effective
without adequate nutritional intake and weight
restoration
If you have any questions or concerns about the
information in this leaflet you can raise these with your
doctor or therapist or leave a message with our
secretaries on 0116 2256211/ 0116 2256230.