F)+Prevalence

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 * Prevalence **

When looking at the prevalance of eating disorders and alcohol use it can be discussed on two fronts. The first being to look at their incidence separately and the second to look at the co-occurence of the two together. Since, we are more interested in the co-morbidity of alcohol use and eating disorders that will be where the emphasis of this section is placed. In terms of the occurence of alcohol use and eating disorders together research points to the fact that they frequently co-occur (Grilo, Sinha & O'Malley, 2002). However, there is some dispute in estimates of co-occurence between alcohol use and bulimia nervosa ranging anywhere from 8 percent to 41 percent and anorexia nervosa at 2 to 10 percent (Holderness, Brooks-Gunn & Warren, 1994).

When looking more closely at the relation between alcohol use and eating disorders certain behaviours are more highly associated with a resultant co-occurrence. For example, binge eating behaviours were more frequently diagnosed in patients with alcohol use issues. Additionally, in terms of anorexia nervosa, nonpurging anorexics were less likely to suffer from a concurrent alcohol or substance use problem (Grilho et al., 2002). Binge eating disorders were also associated with lifetime alcohol use (Telch & Stice, 1998).

What may cause this difference in prevalence rates? Grilo, Levy and Becker (1995//b//) point out possible personality disorders that may underlie the onset of alcohol use and eating disorders. They believe that patients who suffered from both eating disorders and issues with alcohol may have deficits in impulse control, and also exhibit erratic and unstable behaviour. This may also underlie why binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa are more highly associated with alcohol use as opposed to anorexia nervosa. Finally, women with alcohol dependence showed significantly higher levels of the behaviours and attitidunal behaviours associated with the eating disorders and eating disorders not otherwise specified, as opposed to non-alcohol dependents (Peveler & Fairburn, 1990).