According to DSM-5, the severity of anorexia nervosa is based on which parameter?

According to DSM-5, the severity of anorexia nervosa is based on which parameter?

• A. Height percentile
• B. Weight relative to expected
• C. BMI
• D. Age

Answer: (C)

Severity in anorexia nervosa is determined by body mass index. In adults, the DSM-5 uses BMI thresholds to categorize severity (mild: BMI ≥17, moderate: 16–16.99, severe: 15–15.99, extreme: <15). This gives an objective gauge of how underweight the patient is and helps guide treatment intensity. In children and adolescents, severity is based on BMI percentile for age and sex rather than absolute BMI, reflecting growth and development. Other measures like height percentile, weight relative to expected, or age alone don’t provide the standardized assessment of malnutrition severity used here.

Severity in anorexia nervosa is determined by body mass index. In adults, the DSM-5 uses BMI thresholds to categorize severity (mild: BMI ≥17, moderate: 16–16.99, severe: 15–15.99, extreme: <15). This gives an objective gauge of how underweight the patient is and helps guide treatment intensity. In children and adolescents, severity is based on BMI percentile for age and sex rather than absolute BMI, reflecting growth and development. Other measures like height percentile, weight relative to expected, or age alone don’t provide the standardized assessment of malnutrition severity used here.