Epidemiology of Eating Disorders

epidemiology of eating disorders for the psychiatry board exam and PRITE

In this blog, we will take a look at eating disorders including Binge Eating Disorder, Bulimia Nervosa, and Anorexia Nervosa. Let’s review the epidemiology of these disorders. This information should help you on the PRITE and quite possibly on the psychiatry board exam, so pay attention!

What is the most common eating disorder?
Binge Eating Disorder (2-25%) > Bulimia Nervosa (1-2% in women) > Anorexia Nervosa (0.5-1.0 % in women)

Which of the above disorders has the lowest female to male ratio?
Binge Eating Disorder (60% in females) – 90% of patients with either anorexia or bulimia are female

Which of the above disorders is more heritable?
Anorexia (concordance rate of 56% compared to 8-23% in Bulimia)

Is the incidence of anorexia and bulimia increasing, decreasing, or unchanging?
Increasing

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