Objective: Osteoporosis in eating-disordered women is well established, but
factors predictive of this condition have proved elusive. The roles of beh
avioral factors, weight, menstrual status, and the degree of bone mineral d
ensity change over the clinical course of the eating disorder were investig
ated. Method: A cohort of 56 eating-disordered women was subjected to bone
mineral density measurement at Scan I and were followed up between 9 and 51
months later for repeat measurement (n = 10) at Scan 2. Results: High leve
ls of reduced bone mineral density were observed. Total duration of amenorr
hea, body mass index, frequency of vomiting, and cigarette and alcohol cons
umption accounted for 40% of the variance in spinal bone mineral density me
asurement at Scan I. No significant changes in bone mineral density were ob
served at Scan 2 despite increases in body mass index. Discussion: The resu
lts suggest that increases in weight appear not to be sufficient to increas
e bone mineral density. (C) 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.