Eating difficulties
Many ‘eating styles’ can help us to stay healthy – but some are driven by an intense fear of becoming overweight and other concerns about body image. The two most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, and you can read more about these conditions below – the symptoms are often mixed.
- UK vet schools estimate that 10% of their students are suffering from eating disorders and that the disorder has usually started before they come to university. Evidence suggests that in 62% of cases eating disorder symptoms initially occur under the age of 16
- Statistics for the veterinary profession itself are not available
- In the general population 6.4% of adults displayed signs of an eating disorder (Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, 2007 which is the most up to date national figures )
- Eating disorders are 7 to 10 times more common in women than in men
Anorexia & bulimia
Royal College of Psychiatrists advice on identifying and treating anorexia and bulimia
