When a female patient approaches a doctor for help in losing weight, the doctor should check for eating disorders, according to a new study from the University of Western Sydney in Australia.
Professor Phillipa Hay performed long interviews with 57 Australian women who had the eating disorder bulimia nervosa. Only 28% had sought medical treatment for the problem, and of those, 75% admitted they went to the doctor to get help in losing weight.
IIn this particular study," Dr. Hay said, "only a small number of the participants actually disclose their eating disordered behaviors to a health professional. Among the women who did, there were reports that their symptoms were dismissed because they were not emaciated. This is extremely worrisome, as there can be severe health implications for disordered eating even before weight becomes an issue. Regular purging, for example can lead to dehydration and fainting and markedly depleted levels of potassium, which can cause heart attacks from disturbed heart rhythms."
- Dr. Hay's research indicates that between 10% and 50% of people with eating disorders do not find effective treatment.
- She believes that one remedy would be for health professionals to learn how to identify the signs of the eating disorders, and to ask questions about each patient's eating behaviors.
- Her study found that when a patient was asked directly about an eating disorder, over 90% tell their doctors about their problems.
This study was presented at the University of Western Sydney's Mental Well-Being Conference.
Posted By: Jane St. Clair
