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Socio‐Demographic characteristics of eating disorder patients in an outpatient clinic: a descriptive epidemiological study
Author(s) -
Latzer Yael,
Vander Shlomit,
Gilat Itzhak
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
european eating disorders review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.511
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1099-0968
pISSN - 1072-4133
DOI - 10.1002/erv.841
Subject(s) - ethnic group , judaism , eating disorders , epidemiology , outpatient clinic , medicine , descriptive research , psychiatry , help seeking , family medicine , demography , psychology , mental health , geography , sociology , social science , archaeology , anthropology
Objectives The present study focused on the differential help‐seeking characteristics of eating disorder (ED) patients. Method Written reports of 698 ED‐related patients who were referred to the largest outpatient ED clinic in Israel during the period 1991–2002 were retrieved from the patient files. Results The typical profile was as follows: female, Israeli‐born, secular, Jewish, urban, Ashkenazi (Western origin) ethnic background and high‐level of parental education. Noteworthy, were the high percentage of kibbutz patients and the low percentages of patients from both the Arab and Jewish religious sectors. Discussion The results are discussed in light of the socio‐cultural impact on professional help‐seeking among individuals suffering from ED. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.