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Time trends in eating disorder incidence
Laura Currin1, Ulrike Schmidt, Janet Treasure
1Section of Eating Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Mental Health Department, St George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK. l.currin@iop.kcl.ac.uk
The British Journal of Psychiatry : the Journal of Mental Science
|February 3, 2005
Summary
Anorexia nervosa incidence remained stable in UK primary care from 1994-2000, while bulimia nervosa rates increased overall but declined after 1996. These findings impact eating disorder research and public health.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology of eating disorders
- Public health surveillance
- Psychiatric research
Background:
- UK primary care incidence of anorexia nervosa was stable 1988-1993.
- Bulimia nervosa incidence tripled during the same period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess anorexia nervosa incidence stability from 1994-2000.
- To determine if bulimia nervosa incidence continued to rise in the same period.
Main Methods:
- Screened the General Practice Research Database for new cases (1994-2000).
- Calculated annual incidence rates for females aged 10-39.
- Compared rates with the preceding 5-year period.
Main Results:
- In 2000, incidence rates were 4.7/100,000 for anorexia nervosa and 6.6/100,000 for bulimia nervosa.
- Anorexia nervosa incidence remained consistent throughout the study.
- Bulimia nervosa incidence increased overall, peaking in 1996 before declining.
Conclusions:
- Anorexia nervosa incidence rates are stable.
- Changes in symptom recognition and service use may explain bulimia nervosa incidence fluctuations.