№ 19Clinical Disorders10 min read
Eating Disorders and Sexual Behavior
1. Overview & Epidemiology
Feeding and eating disorders = a persistent disturbance of eating or eating-related behaviour that alters food consumption and impairs physical health or psychosocial functioning. Core DSM-5-TR group: anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge-eating disorder (BED), plus ARFID, pica and rumination disorder.
| Disorder | Lifetime prevalence | F:M | Typical onset | Weight | Mortality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anorexia nervosa | ~0.5–1% (females) | ~10:1 | Adolescence (14–18 y; can start at 14) | Significantly low | Highest of any psychiatric disorder (~5–10%) |
| Bulimia nervosa | ~1–2% | ~10:1 | Late adolescence / early adulthood | Normal or above | Low (mainly suicide) |
| Binge-eating disorder | ~2–3% (most common) | ~2:1 | 20s–30s | Often overweight/obese | Low |
- Context (Hungary/Europe): prevalence figures parallel Western Europe; AN concentrated in adolescent and young-adult women in higher-socioeconomic and weight-pressured environments (dancers, athletes, models).
- Anorexia onset can occur at age 14 (true per PSY 4.69 option D) — a peak adolescent presentation.
- Risk factors: female sex, adolescence, perfectionistic/obsessional temperament, dieting, family history, comorbid mood/anxiety/OCD, cultural thin-ideal.
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