The epidemiology of eating disorders.

Further clarification of the epidemiology of eating disorders is essential. The high prevalence of these disorders, which appears to be increasing in women, indicates that high priority should be placed on the effective use of treatment resources through knowledge of the risk factors and clinical course of these illnesses. It seems clear that sociocultural emphasis on thinness in our society contributes to the risk factors of sex, age and social class. Prospective studies following a large number of subjects at high risk will be necessary to define more specific risk factors for the development of these disorders.