Perspectives on the prevention of anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Ample evidence suggests a rising incidence of anorexia nervosa and bulimia over the past few decades. Correspondingly, medical knowledge about the etiology, symptomatology and treatment of these eating disorders has increased. Often the front line health-care workers who treat these disorders, family physicians are in a key position for early detection and prevention of these eating disorders. An adequate understanding of relevant risk factors, symptoms and signs may allow the physician to prevent the onset of an eating disorder in some patients or to minimize the severity of the illness in others.