EATING DISORDERS AND SHOPLIFTING - A STUDY IN 2 SETTINGS

Two groups of female shoplifters drawn from a specialist out-patient s ervice (52) and a Magistrates' Court (50) are compared for their level of eating disorder. Only one person knew of a previous diagnosis of e ating disorder. Their levels of eating disorder and general psychopath ology are high in both settings but particularly those referred for ps ychiatric assessment. Those with an eating disorder had significantly higher levels of psychiatric disturbance, depressive illness and hoard ing behaviour.