Whats New in the Treatment of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia?
The 3 eating disorders–anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating–occur at a frequency far greater than usually realized. Anorexia has been found to be present in up to 1% of teenage and young adult women, whereas estimates of bulimia have ranged up to 5%. The prevalence of binge-eating disorder is not known, but may be higher than bulimia. Anorexia nervosa is characterized by weight loss, body image disturbance, and a morbid fear of weight gain. Bulimia nervosa is characterized by binge eating and compensatory purging by vomiting; use of laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills; exercise; or fasting. Binge-eating disorder is characterized by binge behavior and loss of control of food intake, with an absence of purging. Eating disorders create significant mortality and morbidity. Medical complications associated with anorexia are those related to malnutrition and semistarvation. Medical complications associated with bulimia are those related to electrolyte imbalance and the physi
