Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a perplexing biologically-influenced psychiatric disorder characterized by the maintenance of dangerously low body weight, fear of weight gain, and seeming indifference to the seriousness of the illness.1 AN affects ∼1% of the population.2, 3 Females are disproportionately afflicted, although males also develop the condition.4 The most common age of onset is 15-19 years;5 however, the incidence appears to be increasing in the pre-pubertal period6 and in older adults.7 AN is often comorbid with major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and multiple somatic complications.8-12 Although most individuals recover, ∼25% develop a chronic and relapsing course.13 AN ranks among the ten leading causes of disability among young women14 and has one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric disorder.15-19 The evidence base for treatment for AN has been described as “weak,”20, 21 and treatment and extended inpatient hospitalizations for weight restoration are costly.22, 23 In sum, the public health impact of AN is considerable, and AN carries substantial morbidity, mortality, and personal, familial, and societal costs.
