A new study has shed light on the eating disorder, anorexia nervosa. The illness appears to have higher incidence than previously thought, however, its outcome is generally good: up to 70% of anorexic women recover by the age of 30.

Researchers from Helsinki assessed 2880 women from a Finnish longitudinal twin study, finding that 292 screened positive for anorexia nervosa. Weight and psychological/social measures were then compared between this group and a similar sample of healthy women. Comparisons were also made with the women’s twins, where possible.

It was found that the lifetime prevalence of anorexia nervosa was 2.2%, higher than that estimated previously. However, 25% of women in the study recovered within a year, 33% within 2 years and 67% within 5 years from the onset of the illness. Full psychological recovery took longer, approximately 5-10 years.

For more information, see
Keski-Rahkonen A  al (2007). Epidemiology and course of anorexia nervosa in the community. American Journal of Psychiatry, Vol 164, pp 1259-1265.

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Health & Lifestyle-Eating disorders