A research study to examine the prevalence of bulimia nervosa in adolescent females and the familial effects on the eating disordered adolescent

Abstract

Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder most common in adolescent females. Body weight associated with this disorder is usually normal to low normal and approximately 3% of Americans suffer from bulimia. The purpose of this research study was to examine the prevalence of Bulimia Nervosa in adolescent females and the familial effects on the eating disordered adolescent. By gathering, analyzing, and polling existing research, the researcher provided a highly useful literature review. Research, in this paper, showed family and home environments to be a leading cause in the development of bulimia nervosa. Most adolescent females with this disorder claim their families have much more conflict and less cohesiveness than those without bulimia. This meta-analysis will assist many in learning the impact of family and home environments in adolescents, especially those with risk of developing such eating disorders. Though not the only cause, familial effects were shown to be a leading factor in the development of bulimia nervosa.