Malnutrition can affect every part of the body. The following are some of the bodily functions and body parts that are most commonly affected in children and teens with anorexia nervosa.
Low or irregular heart rate
Anorexia nervosa can cause a person's heart rate to become critically slow (a condition known as bradycardia). The heart may also speed up abnormally when a person moves from lying down to standing up. A very slow or sudden change in heart rate makes it unsafe for someone to be out of hospital. Some people with anorexia nervosa also develop an abnormal heart rhythm that needs to be monitored in hospital.
Low blood pressure
People with anorexia nervosa may have low blood pressure or may experience a drop in their blood pressure when they move from lying down to standing up. This puts them at risk of fainting.
Weak bones
Lack of
calcium and
vitamin D over a long period can cause bones to become weaker. This leaves someone with anorexia nervosa at greater risk of developing
osteoporosis and bone fractures in the future.
Mood changes
Because their brain is starved of nutrients, a person with anorexia nervosa may experience mood changes, might not think clearly, and might be unable to concentrate.
Reduced hormone levels
With starvation, the body may not produce normal levels of hormones. In teenage girls, this can lead to abnormal or missed periods. This is because the hormones that regulate their menstrual cycle cannot work properly if they do not eat enough fat.
Younger children who experience anorexia nervosa may not go through puberty normally or may stop growing.
Thinning hair
Lack of vitamins and minerals can cause hair to become thinner and even fall out. Some people with anorexia nervosa may also experience lanugo. This is a type of fine hair that grows all over the body in an attempt to keep it warm when body fat levels are extremely low.
