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Eating disorder more popular in Austria

Xinhua, February 5, 2015 Adjust font size:

The number of Austrians diagnosed with an eating disorder has increased significantly, the Ministry of Health stated in a health report Wednesday.

The current statistics show that 200,000 people in the country have suffered from such a disorder at some point during their lives.

The health ministry said this was also reflected in hospitalization figures. In 1989, 269 people were hospitalized due to having an eating disorder, increasing to 1,471 in 2000, and 2,734 in 2008, with the real figure, which would account for undiagnosed cases, thought to be much higher.

Young women are particularly affected by eating disorders, making up 90 to 97 percent of cases. Of all 15 to 20-year-old women in the country, 2,500 suffer from anorexia, over 5,000 from a sub-clinical (or milder) eating disorder, while in the 20 to 30-year-old range, at least 6,500 women suffer from bulimia.

Women are more affected than men, largely due to both physical and physiological factors particularly during the transition to adulthood which result in a greater psychological adjustment than for men, the ministry said in the report.

It also said the concern of such disorders can begin at as early as 11 years of age for girls, typically increasing in severity before peaking at 16 years of age. The longer a person is affected by the disorder, the worse the prognosis, the report said.

Consequences of the disorder include low body temperature, low blood pressure, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), and in severe cases, loss of fertility. Other problems are osteoporosis, and, as a result of vomiting, a lack of electrolyte balance, esophagus ruptures, and dental problems including tooth decay. Endit