Incidence of severe anorexia nervosa in Switzerland: 40 years of development

OBJECTIVE: The current study examined the development of the incidence of severe anorexia nervosa with five sampling periods covering the years 1956-1995 in a geographically defined region of Switzerland. METHOD: Applying the same methodology as in the earlier sampling periods, the medical records of all hospitals of the canton of Zurich were screened manually for first-time hospitalizations of female anorexia nervosa patients during the years 1993-1995. Incidence rates were compared with the previous sampling period (1956-1985). RESULTS: The incidence rate of severe anorexia nervosa in the total population and the rate in the population at risk (females 12-25 years old) did not differ significantly from the incidence rates of 1983-1985. DISCUSSION: The incidence of severe anorexia nervosa in the canton of Zurich rose significantly during the 1960s and 1970s. Since then, the incidence appears to have reached a plateau.