Prevalence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in a geographically defined area in Japan

Objective: Little has been understood regarding the frequency of eating dis orders in japan. This study was designed to identify the prevalence of anor exia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) in japan. Method: We asked docto rs in all of the relevant medical facilities (130 hospitals and 1,326 clini cs) in Niigata Prefecture to report patients with DSM-IV-diagnosed eating d isorders who appeared or were admitted between 20-24 October 1997. The resp onse rate was 94.4%. Results: The estimated point prevalences of AN and BN were 4.79 and 1.02, respectively, per 100,000 females. Specifically for the age group of 15-29 years, the prevalence of AN was 17.10 and that of BN 5. 79. Discussion: The prevalence of AN and BN in japan is lower than that for European Caucasian populations. This result may be due to cultural and eth nic differences and/or it may be a transient phenomenon. (C) 2000 by John W iley & Sons, Inc.