Psychological variables impacting weight gain rapidity in adolescents hospitalized for eating disorders

Objective: This prospective study examined whether psychological variables related to the transdiagnostic theory of eating disorders measured at admission predicted length of time to reach 85 per cent of ideal body weight (IBW) among underweight adolescents hospitalized for an eating disorder. Method: Thirty-three girls (aged 12-17) weighing below 85 per cent of IBW, admitted to an inpatient and/or partial hospitalization eating disorder programme completed self-report measures at admission. Cox regression tested whether scores on admission measures predicted time to reach 85 per cent of IBW. Results: After controlling for IBW at admission, higher self-esteem and lower perfectionism predicted shorter time to reach 85 per cent of IBW, with emotion regulation as a marginally significant predictor. Conclusion: Self-esteem and perfectionism may be predictors of responsiveness to weight-gain efforts during hospitalization. Further studies are necessary to determine whether these variables might be appropriate targets for intervention to promote weight gain in underweight girls with eating disorders.