The Impact of Anorexia Nervosa and the Basis for Non-Pharmacological Interventions.

Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez, Alexandra Martín-Rodríguez, José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera, Laura Redondo-Flórez, Rodrigo Yáñez-Sepúlveda, Eduardo Navarro-Jiménez, Ana Isabel Beltrán-Velasco, Domingo Jesús Ramos-Campo, Maria Isabel Ramírez-Goerke

Journal: Nutrients 2023;15(11):2594

PMID: 37299557

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder with an unknown etiology that is characterized by an individual's preoccupation with their weight and body structure while denying the severity of their low body weight. Due to the fact that anorexia nervosa is multifaceted and may indicate the coexistence of genetic, social, hormonal, and psychiatric disorders, a description of non-pharmacological interventions can be used to ameliorate or reduce the symptoms of this condition. Consequently, the purpose of the present narrative review is to describe the profile's context in the anorexic person as well as the support they would require from their family and environment. In addition, it is aimed at examining preventative and non-pharmacological interventions, such as nutritional interventions, physical activity interventions, psychological interventions, psychosocial interventions, and physical therapy interventions. To reach the narrative review aims, a critical review was conducted utilizing both primary sources, such as scientific publications, and secondary sources, such as bibliographic indexes, web pages, and databases. Nutritional interventions include nutritional education and an individualized treatment for each patient, physical activity interventions include allowing patients to perform controlled physical activity, psychological interventions include family therapy and evaluation of the existence of other psychological disorders, psychosocial interventions include management of the relationship between the patient and social media and physical therapy interventions include relaxation massages and exercises to relieve pain. All these non-pharmacological interventions need to be individualized based on each patient's needs.

Address: Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, Tajo Street, s/n, 28670 Madrid, Spain.; Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, C/Tajo s/n, Villaviciosa de Odón, 28670 Madrid, Spain.; Psychology Department, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida y la Naturaleza, Universidad Antonio de Nebrija, 28240 Madrid, Spain.; LFE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Science-INEF, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.; Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia.; Faculty of Education and Social Sciences, Universidad Andres Bello, Viña del Mar 2520000, Chile.
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