Socio-demographic characteristics of eating disorder patients in an outpatient clinic: A descriptive epidemiological study

Objectives: The present study focused on the differential help-seeking characteristics of eating disorder (ED) patients. Method: Written reports of 698 ED-related patients who were referred to the largest outpatient ED clinic in Israel during the period 1991-2002 were retrieved from the patient files. Results: The typical profile was as follows: female, Israeli-born, secular, Jewish, urban, Ashkenazi (Western origin) ethnic background and high-level of parental education. Noteworthy, were the high percentage of kibbutz patients and the low percentages of patients from both the Arab and Jewish religious sectors. Discussion: The results are discussed in light of the socio-cultural impact on professional help-seeking among individuals suffering from ED. Copyright (C) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.