Incidence and detection of bulimia in a family practice population.

In a study of a family practice population, 20 percent of the 176 participants, ranging in age from 14 to 42 years, showed abnormal eating concerns and habits as indicated by their responses on a modified version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT). Clinically these patients had more visits to a physician per year and more complaints per visit, but these differences were not statistically significant. Over 10.9 percent of the sample population appeared to fulfill the criteria for the eating disorder bulimia. These patients were also significantly heavier than patients who did not have abnormal eating concerns and habits.