Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in children and adolescents.

There are significant advances in many areas in the field of the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. The publication of treatment guidelines by the American Psychiatric Association provides clear direction for clinicians involved in the care of these patients. Research continues to elucidate those factors in family therapies that are associated with significant change, suggesting that the psychoeducational component of these treatments is critical. Although there is general agreement that there is significant comorbidity between eating disorders and many other psychiatric illnesses, especially affective and substance use disorders, the association between anorexia nervosa and diabetes mellitus is being reexamined. There is increased interest in the heritable genetic components of these conditions, with some evidence available to support a heritable component. Finally, there is a growing body of literature examining the occurrence of eating disorders in members of nonwestern cultural groups.