Attention Ladies! Eating Disorders May Up the Risk of Theft and Other Crimes

The study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders revealed the results, The incidences of theft and other convictions were 12% and 7%, respectively, in those with anorexia nervosa, 18% and 13% in those with bulimia nervosa, and 5% and 6% in those without eating disorders. The associations with theft conviction remained in both anorexia and bulimia nervosa even when adjusting for psychiatric comorbidities and for familial factors

Shuyang Yao, lead author of the International Journal of Eating Disorders study suggested that the results highlight forensic issues as an adversity associated with eating disorders. Criminal convictions can compound disease burden and complicate treatment. Clinicians should be sure to conduct routine reviews of criminal history during assessments for eating disorders.

The findings also suggested that the research is still needed to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between crime and eating disorder psychopathology and also the efforts to determine how best to address this relationship in treatment.