The prevalence and intensity of DSM-V feeding and eating disorders and its sub-thresholds among Iranian women

Introduction: Eating disorders are serious psychiatric illness, defined by abnormal eating behaviors, shape and weight regulation difficulties and over weight concern. This study sought to explore the prevalence and intensity of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating and their sub-thresholds in women who referred to wellness and fitness centers. Methods: 946 women with a mean age of 24.64 were selected via convenience sampling among women who is residing in Shiraz. All participants were asked to complete Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale (EDDS) and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results: The prevalence rate of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating in whole sample is 6.02%, 4.01% and 13.0% respectively. Conclusion: DSM-5-defined eating disorders and its sub thresholds are common in women; binge eating with 16% prevalence rate is more common than other disorders. Further studies with assessing DSM-5 eating disorders in clinical and non-clinical population are greatly needed.