Health service utilization for eating disorders: findings from a community-based study.
BACKGROUND
Prior use of health services was examined in a community sample of women with bulimic-type eating disorders.


METHODS
Participants (n = 159) completed a structured interview for the assessment of eating disorder psychopathology as well as questions concerning treatment-seeking and type of treatment received.


RESULTS
Whereas a minority (40.3%) of participants had received treatment for an eating problem, most had received treatment for a general mental health problem (74.2%) and/or weight loss (72.8%), and all had used one or more self-help treatments. Where treatment was received for an eating or general mental health problem, this was from a primary care practitioner in the vast majority of cases. Only half of those participants who reported marked impairment associated with an eating problem had ever received treatment for such a problem and less than one in five had received such treatment from a mental health professional.


CONCLUSIONS
Women with bulimic-type eating disorders rarely receive treatment for an eating problem, but frequently receive treatment for a general mental health problem and/or for weight loss. The findings underscore the importance of programs designed to improve the detection and management of eating disorders in primary care.
Mond
Jonathan M
JM
School of Psychological Science, La Trobe University, Bundoore VIC 3083, Australia. j.mond@latrobe.edu.au
Hay
Phillipa J
PJ
Rodgers
Bryan
B
Owen
Cathy
C
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020958:Australian Capital Territory; D001828:Body Image; D001835:Body Weight; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014600:Utilization Review / Q000706:statistics & numerical data