[Anorectic and bulimic eating disorders--new developments. 1: Definitions, clinical manifestations and etiopathogenesis].

In western industrial countries, anorectic and bulimic eating disorders have appreciably increased in recent decades. For the most part, but not exclusively, the victims of such disorders are young women. The eating disorders may be understood as a failed attempt to resolve such problems as feelings of insecurity, anxiety and a lack of self-esteem. Anorexia nervosa continues to be a very serious illness with a high mortality rate. Numerous medical complications can be observed in anorexia nervosa and in bulimic eating disorders in normal-weight (bulimia nervosa) and overweight (binge eating disorder) patients. The etiology is multifactorial. Bulimic eating disorders (bulimia nervosa) in particular, whether in normal-weight or overweight patients, have recently been investigated scientifically.