Final answer:
Nutrition therapy for clients with anorexia nervosa aims at recovery through regaining healthy eating habits and weight, while also addressing psychological aspects with mental health counseling. The approach must be sustainable since maintaining normal eating can be a lifelong struggle.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nutrition Therapy Goals for Clients with Anorexia
The focus of nutrition therapy for clients with anorexia nervosa should be on recovery that includes regaining control of eating habits, resuming normal eating patterns, and achieving a healthy body weight. The primary goal is to address the malnutrition and potential health consequences caused by self-starvation. Nutrition therapy should also aim to correct any deficiencies, reinstate regular menstrual cycles in females, and support the restoration of bone mass and heart function.
Given the psychological components of eating disorders, nutrition therapy should be accompanied by mental health counseling to tackle underlying issues and to promote long-term recovery. Since a notable minority of individuals may struggle with maintaining normal eating behaviors for life, a sustainable approach that involves monitoring, ongoing support, and possible medication for co-existing mental health disorders is crucial.
It's important to be aware of the existence of pro-anorexia content online, which dangerously promotes the illness as a lifestyle choice, emphasizing the urgency and significance of professional, evidence-based treatment interventions.