ANOREXIA NERVOSA AND EATING DISORDERS

Key words: Anorexia nervosa, Bulimia, Family doctor, Diagnostic criteria

The estimated prevalence in Italy of eating disorders is 0.3-0.5% for anorexia nervosa and 1-3% for bulimia. Premature death due to the complications of the disease or suicide are observed in 10% of these patients. The article offers an overview of the current knowledge on the etiology of eating disorders and in particular of anorexia nervosa. The criteria that have been proposed for diagnosis are presented and the role of the family doctor in early diagnosis is underlined.