Prevalence and Incidence of Eating disorders

Prevalence/Incidence of Eating disorders: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the prevalence and/or incidence of Eating disorders.

Anorexia nervosa: Causes and incidence
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))

No causes of anorexia nervosa have been identified; however, genetic, social, and psychological factors have been implicated. Researchers in neuroendocrinology are seeking a physiologic cause, but have found nothing definite. Clearly, social attitudes that equate slimness with beauty play some role in provoking this disorder; family factors are also implicated. Most theorists believe that refusing to eat is a subconscious effort to exert personal control over one’s life. Anorexia nervosa has been associated with other psychiatric disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and anxiety.

Anorexia occurs in 5% to 10% of the population; about 95% of those affected are women. This disorder occurs primarily in adolescents and young adults but may also affect older women. The occurrence among males is rising. The prognosis varies but improves if the patient is diagnosed early or if she wants to overcome the disorder and seeks help voluntarily. Mortality ranges from 5% to 15% — the highest mortality associated with a psychiatric disturbance. One-third of these deaths can be attributed to suicide.

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Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005

About prevalence and incidence statistics:

The term 'prevalence' of Eating disorders usually refers to the estimated population of people who are managing Eating disorders at any given time. The term 'incidence' of Eating disorders refers to the annual diagnosis rate, or the number of new cases of Eating disorders diagnosed each year. Hence, these two statistics types can differ: a short-lived disease like flu can have high annual incidence but low prevalence, but a life-long disease like diabetes has a low annual incidence but high prevalence. For more information see about prevalence and incidence statistics.

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