Eating disorders: a women's health problem in primary care

Eating disorders pose a significant risk to the health and psychological well-being of adolescent girls and adult women, yet a sizeable number of health care practitioners do not routinely assess for eating disorders. This paper provides an overview of what is currently understood about the nature and assessment of eating disorders. Diagnostic features, psychiatric comorbidity, and medical complications of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are discussed. We suggest ways that health care providers can incorporate assessment for eating disorders and referral for treatment into their routine clinical care practices.