summary Osteoporosis is a frequent complication in patients with eating disorders, particularly with anorexia nervosa. Informing patients about the disorder can give them a better understanding of their illness and encourage them to comply with treatment. Guided by the literature, which is rather limited, and our own clinical experience we make specific suggestions with regard to psychoeducation (particularly concerning a patient's need to put on weight and avoid the risk of fractures). We give three examples which illustrate how differently patients may react to our suggestions.