Partial eating disorders in newly drafted female recruits in Israel

Eating-related behaviors and general psychopathology were assessed in 642 young Israeli women 10 to 14 days after being drafted to the army. Weight and height were also recorded. Partial eating disorders were defined with the Eating Attitudes Test and selected relevant criteria of the DSM-IV. Compared to subjects with no disturbed eating, individuals with partial anorexia nervosa or partial bulimia nervosa had dieted more in the previous year and reported a greater change in the amount of food intake in times of stress. Partial bulimic subjects fared worse than both other groups in many eating-related parameters. Both groups with partial eating disorders had elevated overall psychopathology compared with controls. This study suggests that subjects with partial eating disorders, particularly partial bulimia nervosa, should be considered a high-risk population that requires early detection.