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Pattern of birth in early‐onset anorexia nervosa: an equatorial study
Author(s) -
Willoughby Kate,
Bowen Rebecca,
Lee EeLian,
Pathy Parvathy,
Lask Bryan
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20069
Subject(s) - anorexia nervosa , demography , equator , pediatrics , season of birth , age of onset , psychology , medicine , eating disorders , psychiatry , geography , disease , sociology , geodesy , latitude
Abstract Objective Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) born in the northern and southern hemispheres are more likely to be born during spring months than at any other time of the year. It has been hypothesized that environmental temperature at the time of conception may have a significant role in this pattern of findings. The current study aims to investigate the pattern of birth of early‐onset AN patients in an equatorial region (Singapore), where there is little difference in environmental temperature throughout the year. Method Dates of birth were collected for 102 patients who were born in Singapore and diagnosed with early‐onset AN. The patterns of birth were analyzed using chi‐square analysis. Results There was no difference across the year in the birth patterns of patients with early‐onset AN in Singapore, nor were there any differences between patients with restrictive and binge/purge AN. Discussion This lack of seasonal variation in the equator adds support to the “temperature at conception” hypothesis. © 2004 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.