Treating Eating Disorders in Primary Care

ifetime prevalence estimates for anorexia nervosa, bulimia ner-vosa, and binge-eating disorder are 0.6, 1.0, and 2.8 percent, respec-tively, with the risk up to threefold higher in women than men.1 Median age of onset is 18 to 21 years.1 Because most patients do not typically present with the chief complaint of an eating disorder, a physician must be attentive to the possible diagnosis, especially when caring for young women. Screening for eating disorders should be considered in the routine care of at-risk patients.2-4 Pre-senting symptoms may include fatigue, diz-ziness, low energy, amenorrhea, weight los