Undernutrition and Growth

Abstract

Recent interest in eating disorders makes the report on short stature and delayed puberty in this issue a timely one.¹ This study raises two points for consideration. One concerns the diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. The other is whether undernutrition at the time of puberty causes growth retardation.Pugliese et al. define a subgroup of children with an eating disorder and describe them as having a fear of obesity. They distinguish this syndrome from anorexia nervosa because it did not involve a distorted body image, vomiting or laxative abuse, gastrointestinal problems, compulsive exercising, or food hoarding; weight loss was less than . . .