Diagnoses of eating disorders among active component service members, U.S. Armed Forces, 2004-2013.

Abstract

During the years 2004-2013, a total of 3,527 service members received incident diagnoses of one of the eating disorders: anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), or "eating disorder, not otherwise specified." The overall incidence rate was 2.5 cases per 10,000 person-years. Of the case-defining diagnoses, BN and AN accounted for the most and least incident cases, respectively. Incidence rates were more than 20 times higher in women than men. Higher rates were found among the younger age groups; white, non-Hispanics; and Marines compared to their respective counterparts. Incidence rates and prevalence of these disorders in service members were lower than estimates from studies of civilian populations and other studies of military populations. Reasons for this observation are discussed. Although diagnoses of eating disorders are disqualifying from entrance into military service, hundreds of cases are diagnosed in service members each year. The serious complications of AN and BN are summarized.