Bulimia Nervosa

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are more likely to have any form of disordered eating, particularly bulimia or binge eating disorder, suggesting a weight-neutral treatment plan could be beneficial, data show.

The relationship between obesity and disordered eating behaviors represents a complex combination of psychological, physiological and environmental influences.

Children, adolescents and older adults were underrepresented in U.S. clinical trials investigating eating disorders, despite federal guidance urging increased participation of individuals of all ages, according to researchers.

Clinicians should implement specific evidence-based treatments for various eating disorders, according to a presenter at the NEI Max Virtual Conference.

Eating disorder symptoms motivated by concerns about body shape/weight can be present in or develop in gastroenterology patients, often contributing to maintenance of gastrointestinal symptoms. Importantly, eating disorder symptoms lie along a spectrum—there are many individuals who do not meet full-threshold criteria for a “classic” eating disorder— anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder — yet have symptoms that could interact with their gastrointestinal presentation. To facilitate evaluation and treatment of patients with eating disorder symptoms, it can be helpful to understand that symptoms generally fall into two categories: thoughts and behaviors.

According to researchers, eating disorders — which affect more than 1 in 10 Americans — pose “a serious threat” to patients’ health and well-being, but many primary care physicians find it challenging to identify these disorders.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are more likely to have an eating or sleeping disorder and report decreased sexual satisfaction than those without PCOS, according to a meta-analysis of studies published in Clinical Endocrinology.

Findings of a 12-year study from Canada suggest a link between bulimia nervosa and the risk for any cardiovascular disease, as well as death, among women. Due to these associations, women with a history of the disorder should be screened regularly for ischemic cardiovascular disease, and they may benefit from treatment for and prevention of cardiovascular risk factors, according to researchers.