title: Pre-pubertal anorexia nervosa: a retrospective controlled study.
abstract: Pre-pubertal anorexia nervosa is a challenge to the explanatory powers of the many aetiological theories. This retrospective controlled study specifically compares 20 subjects with pre-pubertal anorexia nervosa to matched post-pubertal anorectic and pre-pubertal neurotic groups. The results show greater pre-morbid feeding problems in the index group and their families; both pre-pubertal groups show more behavioural problems before becoming ill. The illness is very similar in the two anorectic groups; they show comparable levels of sexual anxiety, and self-injury rates (35%) are equal. The implications of these findings for the various theories are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D005190:Family; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D010379:Peer Group; D011582:Psychological Theory; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012652:Self Mutilation / Q000523:psychology; D012723:Sex