Which physiological change is associated with Osteopenia in anorexic patients?

Osteopenia in anorexic patients is primarily linked to decreased estrogen levels. Estrogen plays a key role in bone health, influencing both bone density and the regulation of bone remodeling. In individuals with anorexia, the significant weight loss and malnutrition lead to disruptions in various hormonal pathways, particularly affecting reproductive hormones.

As body fat decreases and energy intake is insufficient, the production of estrogen diminishes, which directly impacts bone density. This reduction in estrogen contributes to an imbalance between bone resorption and formation, leading to a decrease in bone mineral density and the development of osteopenia.

In contrast, while increased cortisol levels and altered thyroid function can also have effects on bone health, they are not as directly tied to the mechanism of osteopenia in the context of anorexia as the decrease in estrogen. Increased progesterone levels do not play a significant role in this process either. Thus, the relationship between decreased estrogen levels and the ensuing impact on bone density clearly identifies it as the physiological change associated with osteopenia in anorexic patients.