Impaired Renal Function in Restrictive Eating Disorders Warrants Further Study

Strategic Insights -

Adolescents and young adults suffering from restrictive eating disorders may experience impaired renal function, highlighting the need for further research and specific guidelines regarding protein prescriptions during inpatient treatment. A recent study conducted at the Faculty of Science has shed light on this understudied area, providing valuable insights into the impact of elevated protein intake on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in individuals with restrictive eating disorders.

Key Takeaways:

  • Impaired renal function was observed in approximately one third of the sample of adolescents and young adults hospitalized with restrictive eating disorders.
  • The mean age of the sample was 17.0 ± 1.2 years, with 90.9% (n = 170) of the participants being females.
  • A high protein prescription of 1.9-2.7 g/kg/day did not deleteriously affect renal function, with eGFR levels improving with nutritional rehabilitation.
  • The study highlights the need for prospective studies to confirm the optimal protein prescription during nutritional rehabilitation in patients hospitalized with restrictive eating disorders.
  • A retrospective audit of adolescent and young adults hospitalized with restrictive eating disorders between 2016-2020 was conducted, including data on anthropometric measurements, serum creatinine, blood urea, energy and protein prescriptions, and hospital length-of-stay.
  • The study found that impaired renal function typically resolves during the admission, but a small subgroup of patients with renal impairment at discharge warrants further investigation.
  • Kirsten Thompson, a researcher from the University of Wollongong, notes that more research is needed to explore outcomes in the small subgroup of patients who remain with renal impairment at discharge.

Statistics:

  • 187 admissions met the inclusion criteria for the study.
  • The mean %mBMI at admission was 80.1 ± 9.5%.
  • eGFR levels improved with nutritional rehabilitation, with no deleterious effects from a high protein prescription (1.9-2.7 g/kg/day).
  • The study included data from 187 adolescents and young adults hospitalized with restrictive eating disorders between 2016-2020.
  • 90.9% (n = 170) of the participants were females, with a mean age of 17.0 ± 1.2 years.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. New Research on Eating Disorders from Faculty of Science Summarized (Changes in eGFR in adolescent and young adult inpatients receiving nutritional rehabilitation for a restrictive eating disorder: a five-year clinical audit). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 20, 2025; p 623.
  • Thompson, K., Parker, E. K., Kohn, M. R., & Stefoska-Needham, A. (2025). Changes in eGFR in adolescent and young adult inpatients receiving nutritional rehabilitation for a restrictive eating disorder: a five-year clinical audit. Journal of Eating Disorders, 13(1), 1-9.