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Eating disorders

What are eating disorders in bipolar disorder?

Eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, which involves a lack of maintaining normal weight, usually less than 85% of the expected weight, and an intense fear of gaining weight. Bulimia nervosa involves the presence of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviours to prevent weight gain, while binge eating disorder does not involve compensatory behaviour.

What is the evidence for eating disorders?

Moderate quality evidence finds the prevalence of any eating disorder in people with bipolar disorder is around 13%. The prevalence of binge eating disorder is around 12.5%, bulimia nervosa is around 7%, and anorexia nervosa is around 2.5%. Overall, prevalence rates of eating disorders were highest in females with bipolar disorder, and in people with bipolar II disorder.

October 2021

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Last updated at: 4:05 am, 20th October 2021
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Tags:  Eating disorders

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