Three-year follow-up study of children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa initially treated in a continuum of care program.

Fourteen children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa were treated in a new continuum of care program, and compared to a group previously treated in our traditional inpatient program. For 12 of the 14 patients, outcome was then assessed yearly at 1, 2, and 3 years following acute treatment. At the 3-year follow-up, 8 of 12 patients were at > or = 90% of Average Body Weight (ABW). The other 4 patients had improved in weight until the 2-year follow-up, then declined below 90% ABW. Lower initial %ABW at program entry, comorbid depression, and insufficient psychotherapy during follow-up may predispose to relapse.