Table III. Staging criteria for anorexia nervosa

 

Early or Mild Stage

Mildly distorted body image

Weight 90% or less of average weight for height

No symptoms or signs of excessive weight loss

Use of potentially harmful weight-controlled methods or a strong drive to lose weight

Established or
Moderate Stage

Definitely distorted body image that has not diminished with weight loss

Weight goal less than 85% of average weight for height associated with a refusal to gain weight

Symptoms or signs of excessive weight loss associated with denial that any problems exist

Use of unhealthy means to lose weight, such as eating fewer than 1000 cal/day, purging, or excessive exercise

Reference: Kriepe RE, Birndorf SA: Eating disorders in adolescents and young adults. Medical Clinics of North America 2000; 84(4):1027-1049.