Diagnosed eating disorders in the U.S. Military: a nine year review

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of three types of eating disorders (ED); anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN) and eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS), diagnosed in the U.S. Military. Diagnosed cases of ED were obtained from the Defense Medical Epidemiology Database for all Service Members (SM) from 1998-2006. The percentage per year of SM with an ED diagnosis was .30%. Eating disorders were diagnosed significantly more in 2006 (.41%) compared to 1998 (.23%) (p < .001). Females were diagnosed significantly more than males (p < .001). The majority of AN cases (66%) were in the Marines. This is the first known study to investigate the incidence of ED in SM using medical record data. Service Members diagnosed with ED have increased. Females, specifically White females, have higher incidence of ED. The reported incidence of diagnosed ED in SM was lower compared to previous research.