How Common is Anorexia Nervosa? A Prevalence Study

Abstract

During 1972-74 nine populations of schoolgirls were surveyed in respect of the occurrence of anorexia nervosa. As well as the current school year, previous years (going back variously 3-6 years) were also carefully studied within seven of the schools. Anorexia nervosa was only identified as present or having been present if the diagnosis was unequivocal: for instance, seemingly evident and severe cases which could not be traced were excluded. The condition in severe form was found to be relatively common in the independent sector of education, probably implying a social class factor. In all such schools, the prevalence was one severe case in approximately every 200 girls. In those aged 16 and over it amounted to one severe case in about every 100 girls. Overall, these schools encountered one 'new' severe case in every 250 pupils aged 16 years and over. The condition is likely to be even more common than this study allows because of the stringent limits set here on inclusion of cases and the age-bands studied. It is concluded that severe anorexia nervosa is a common condition and is probably getting more common.

Familial contributions to the etiology and course of anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

“…A further compelling indication of familial involvement in the pathogenesis of the eating disorders comes from evidence that such disorders occur more frequently in the biological relatives of patients (current epidemiological data put the lifetime expectancy of anorexia nervosa at 0.5%-1.5% and of bulimia, at roughly 2.0%; Cooper & Fairbum, 1983;Crisp, Palmer, & Kalucy, 1976;Gershon et al, 1983). In several studies (Dally & Gomez, 1979;Garfinkel et al, 1980;Halmi, Goldberg, Eckert, Casper, & Davis, 1977;Theander, 1970), the prevalence of anorexia nervosa among the sisters of patients has ranged from 3% to 10%, which greatly exceeds rates in the general population.…”

The Epidemic of Anorexia Nervosa: Myth or Reality?

“…This result is nearly double those estimated by the two-stage process. This rate is, however, comparable to the key informant methodology reported by Crisp et al (1976). Råstam et al (1989), hypothesized that peak incidence of AN may occur around the age of 14.…”

“…The one most cited in the literature is that by Crisp et al (1976), conducted in England. Data was collected from nine groups of school girls who attended both public and private institutions.…”

Eating disorders : the correlation of family relationships with an eating disorder continuum

“…Additional questions that have been raised in the literature involve demographic variables. Anorexia is predominantly thought to occur in the "upper middle," "professional," and "managerial" classes (Morgan & Russell, 1975;Crisp, Hsu, Harding, & Hartshorn, 1980;Crisp, Palmer, & Kalucy, 1976;Hall, 1978), although there are a few studies that cite cases among working-class women (Crisp et al, op cit;Crisp, 1983;Kalucy, Crisp, & Harding, 1977). It is unclear whether this skew reflects actual class differences or a difference in the willingness of families of varying class backgrounds to seek psychiatric help (Morgan & Russell, 1975).…”