How common is anorexia nervosa? A prevalence study.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Medicine
• Psychiatry
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder with significant health implications.
• Previous research on the prevalence of anorexia nervosa in school-aged populations is limited.
• Understanding the epidemiology of anorexia nervosa is crucial for early detection and intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of severe anorexia nervosa in schoolgirls.
• To investigate potential associations between socioeconomic factors and anorexia nervosa incidence.
• To assess trends in anorexia nervosa occurrence over a defined period.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted between 1972-1974 across nine school populations.
• Data collection included current and retrospective (3-6 years) school records.
• Strict diagnostic criteria were applied, excluding unequivocal or untraceable cases.

Main Results:

• Severe anorexia nervosa was found to be relatively common in the independent school sector, with a prevalence of approximately 1 in 200 girls.
• In girls aged 16 and over, the prevalence increased to about 1 in 100.
• One new severe case was identified per 250 pupils aged 16+ in these schools.

Conclusions:

• Severe anorexia nervosa is a common condition among adolescent schoolgirls.
• The findings suggest a potential social class influence on the prevalence of anorexia nervosa.
• The study indicates that anorexia nervosa may be increasing in frequency, possibly underestimated due to stringent inclusion criteria.