Are marked body shape concerns associated with poorer outcomes at the one‐year follow‐up in anorexia nervosa?

OBJECTIVE: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex disease in which obsessive thoughts about body image, shape, or weight are expressed. The intensity of these concerns varies among individuals, and only a few studies have focused on their impact on patients’ clinical course when patients are treated on an outpatient basis. Our study aimed to determine whether marked body concerns at inclusion were predictive of the one‐year follow‐up. METHOD: Participants (N = 72) were women seeking treatment for AN in a specialized unit for eating disorder management. All participants were assessed at inclusion and at the 1‐year follow‐up. Clinical outcome was assessed using the Morgan & Russel Outcome Average Score (MROAS), and body concerns were assessed using the Body Shape Questionnaires (BSQ). RESULTS: Marked body concerns (BSQ score >140) at inclusion were associated with a poorer outcome at the 12‐month follow‐up (lower MROAS “total score”). Other characteristics at inclusion that were predictive of a poorer outcome at 12 months were as follows: higher severity of ED at inclusion, longer hospitalization during follow‐up, and experiencing a lower impact of the illness on school/work life. DISCUSSION: The results confirmed the importance of a multifocal treatment that should address body concerns and motivation to change. Our results also highlighted the necessity of promoting the maintenance of school/work during the treatment course.