Caring Online Provides Information
Disordered Eating Practices Reported by 10-15 Percent of Canadian Women
Anorexia afflicts thousands of girls and women across Canada, but millions more exhibit other forms of unhealthy eating-related and weight-control behaviors such as compulsive eating and bulimia, according to a survey conducted by the Université de Montréal and the Douglas Mental Health University Institute in Québec.
A Canadian government study a decade ago found that 1.5 percent of the country's female population – along with a much smaller percentage of boys and men – suffer from an eating disorder. But a more recent survey of Canadian women revealed that perhaps ten times that many of them engage in unhealthy eating, dieting or exercise behaviors.
The 2009 survey questioned 1,501 women in urban areas across Canada, none of whom reported behavior that would qualify for a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. But some 10 to 15 percent of the respondents to the 20-minute survey described eating or weight-control behaviors that are considered problematic and may indicate a tendency toward disordered eating.
That percentage is likely even higher among Canadian girls and young women, considering that the survey did not even include teenagers and college-age women, which are the age groups most often referred for treatment for eating disorders. The average age of the survey respondents was 31 years old.
The survey results and analysis were published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders. Among its specific findings:
- 0.6 percent of the women surveyed met the criteria for a diagnosis of bulimia
- 1.1 percent of the respondents purged regularly, with 0.6 percent possibly qualifying for a newly proposed diagnosis of purging disorder
- 13.7 of the women engaged in binge eating at least once a month, with 4.1 percent engaging in “frequent” binge eating and 3.8 percent actually meeting criteria for binge eating disorder
Much higher percentages of the respondents reported less serious but still problematic behaviors such as exercising intensively solely to become thinner rather than for enjoyment or to improve their health. Many had poor body images, perceiving themselves and overweight and unhealthy when their weight and health were normal.
The report’s authors says their findings indicate the Canadian women, like their counterparts in the United States and around the world, are absorbing unhealthy and often conflicting messages about the role of food in their lives and the importance of being thin. The survey shows that many women in Canada who would probably not be diagnosed with an eating disorder nevertheless show tendencies toward disordered eating and maladaptive thinking about issues of food, diet and weight.
If you’ve ever asked yourself “ What is an eating disorder?” out of concern for yourself or a loved one, please take some time to explore the useful resources offered on Caring Online. Our website contains important information on diet and nutrition, eating disorder self-assessment tests and options for eating disorder treatment if it becomes necessary.
« Previous Article | Back To Articles | Next Article »
Click Here To Get Started
