What patterns in the epidemiology of eating disorders suggest ...

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What patterns in the epidemiology of eating disorders suggest sociocultural influences on their development?
 
  Answer:

Question 2

How does DSM-5 handle obesity and binge-eating disorder?
 
  Answer:

[ong527]

Answer to Question 1

The prevalence of eating disorders is higher in industrialized societies such as North America, Europe, and industrialized Asian countries. In the United States, the prevalence is higher in whites than blacks, those in higher socioeconomic groups, and women in jobs where slimness is valued. Eating disorders are also more frequent among groups who move into new areas where eating disorders exist, such as among Arabs and Asians who move to Western countries. Finally, in the United States, there are an increasing number of eating disorder cases among well-to-do African Americans.

Answer to Question 2

Binge-eating disorder, a new diagnosis that has been added to DSM-5, is defined by episodes of binge eating without compensatory behavior. Binge eating is associated with a number of psychological and physical difficulties, including obesity. Obesity, which is typically defined as having a BMI greater than 30, was also considered for inclusion into DSM-5. Ultimately, obesity was not included. Calling obesity a mental disorder is controversial, especially given the high prevalence of overweight individuals in the United States.