Women Eating Disorders More Likely

One in Ten Women 'Suffer From Eating Disorder'

The number of women suffering from eating disorders, such as bulimia and binge eating, could be as high as one in ten, according to new research.

An investigation at the University of Montreal established a link between eating habits and "self-rated health".

Lise Gauvin, a professor at the university's department of social and preventive medicine, said deviant eating behavior was more likely to occur in women who thought of themselves as being in poor health.

Around 14 per cent of the women interviewed reported binge eating one to five days or one to seven times per month.

"Our results are disquieting," Ms Gauvin said.

"Women are exposed to many contradictory messages. They are encouraged to lose weight yet also encouraged to eat for the simple pleasure of it."

After questioning more than 1,500 women, the study also revealed that 2.5 per cent of women reported forcing themselves to vomit and using laxatives or diuretics to maintain their weight or shape.

The research was published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.

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