In eating disorders, which intervention has been shown to significantly increase weight and BMI compared to oral refeeding therapy alone?

In eating disorders, which intervention has been shown to significantly increase weight and BMI compared to oral refeeding therapy alone?

• A. Total parenteral nutrition
• B. Enteral feeds
• C. Intravenous hydration alone
• D. High-fat diet

Answer: (B)

Providing nutrition through the gut with enteral feeding ensures a reliable, adjustable energy supply during refeeding. When oral intake is insufficient, enteral feeds allow higher caloric and nutrient delivery than oral therapy alone, leading to more rapid and greater weight restoration and increases in BMI. This method preserves gut function and is less risky and invasive than intravenous options, while still being more physiologic than IV nutrition. Total parenteral nutrition bypasses the gut and carries higher infection and metabolic risks, so it isn’t typically superior for weight gain when enteral feeding is possible. Intravenous hydration alone supplies fluids but little to no calories, so it won’t drive meaningful weight gain. A high-fat diet isn’t the standard approach for this goal and doesn’t reliably produce the same weight/BMI improvements as structured enteral feeding.

Providing nutrition through the gut with enteral feeding ensures a reliable, adjustable energy supply during refeeding. When oral intake is insufficient, enteral feeds allow higher caloric and nutrient delivery than oral therapy alone, leading to more rapid and greater weight restoration and increases in BMI. This method preserves gut function and is less risky and invasive than intravenous options, while still being more physiologic than IV nutrition. Total parenteral nutrition bypasses the gut and carries higher infection and metabolic risks, so it isn’t typically superior for weight gain when enteral feeding is possible. Intravenous hydration alone supplies fluids but little to no calories, so it won’t drive meaningful weight gain. A high-fat diet isn’t the standard approach for this goal and doesn’t reliably produce the same weight/BMI improvements as structured enteral feeding.