Understanding muscle health in anorexia nervosa and how exercise could help
Official title: Characterizing muscle metabolic alterations during the development of AN and following anabolic interventions
Funded at University of Arkansas at Fayetteville · NIH-11336559 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant looks at how anorexia nervosa changes muscle and whether muscle-building exercise could help if started early or after weight loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arkansas at Fayetteville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fayetteville, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2021 |
| Project end | February 28, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $223,782 |
| NIH project number | 2P20GM139768-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11336559 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with anorexia nervosa or those at risk of severe muscle loss, as well as patients in recovery who may benefit from muscle-building interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Some patients who have predominant non-muscle health concerns or contraindications to exercise may not benefit from this specific muscle-focused approach.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how anorexia nervosa alters muscle health and metabolism, aiming to identify changes that occur before severe weight loss. It also investigates how resistance exercise might influence these muscle changes after weight loss or during recovery, using models that mimic AN and recovery patterns. By studying physiological shifts in muscle, researchers hope to inform earlier detection and safe, effective muscle-building strategies for people affected by AN. The work is done under the leadership of Megan Rosa-Caldwell at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, with a focus on translating findings into interventions for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier detection of muscle deterioration in AN and new exercise-based strategies to preserve or restore muscle mass.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that muscle health can be affected by AN and that exercise can influence muscle mass under certain conditions, but this project aims to clarify effects in AN specifically and identify actionable strategies.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Fayetteville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rosa-Caldwell, Megan Elizabeth — University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
- Study coordinator: Rosa-Caldwell, Megan Elizabeth
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.