Mon, 21 Dec 2009 06:22:0
David Goodhue - AHN Reporter
Miami, Florida, United States (AHN) - Ten to 15 percent of women have what scientists describe as "maladaptive" eating disorders beyond anorexia, according to Canadian researchers.
Lise Gauvin, a University of Montreal professor of social and preventive medicines, said in a statement that women are bombarded with conflicting messages - lose weight, but also "eat for the simple pleasure of it."
Gauvin and her colleagues interviewed 1,501 women about eating disorders and "disordered eating." None of the participants was classified as anorexic. Their average age was 31, and the majority of the women were non-smokers and college graduates.
Gauvin said that about 13.7 percent of the women reported binge eating one to five days, or one to seven days per month. About 2.5 percent of the women reported forcing themselves to vomit, use laxatives or diuretics to maintain their weight or shape.
The study was published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.
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