A study of 3,000 Finnish women born between 1975 and 1979 reports that more women have anorexia than we know. They found that 2.2 percent of the women suffered from severe anorexia nervosa and up to 5 percent suffered from some degree of anorexic symptoms (self starvation and obsessive anxiety about weight) sometime during their life.
I’m guessing the number is even greater. I believe that women are very good at hiding their condition.
The study also reported that for many women, anorexia symptoms come and go. The symptoms usually appear between ages 10 and 25. The peak onset was between ages 15 and 19.
That piece of news is also very interesting.
The researchers also found that recovery from anorexia is slow and gradual. Initially women regained their lost weight and resumed menstruation. But it took 5 to 10 years for them to readjust their attitudes about body shape and weight.
By age 30 close to 70 percent of the women with anorexia recovered from the illness. The average time was 3 years.
The report didn’t say anything about middle-age and older women suffering from anorexia. There’s just not much research out there for this age group.
NOTE: For the first time, the federal government published a report evaluating the different types of treatment for eating disorders. The report commissioned by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is now available online. Copies of the report are available free of charge by calling the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at 800-358-9295 or by sending an E-mail to ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov.
Hoping this information is useful. At least the information is out there!
Warmly, Ruthan Brodsky
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