Eating disorders in black South African females

Abstract

Eating disorders are generally associated with westernised white populations. Isolated cases of anorexia nervosa have been described in blacks in Africa. A series of cases is presented documenting the existence of eating disorders in young black South African women. This has implications in terms of both conceptualising these conditions as culture-bound with respect to 'westernisation' and planning health service delivery in an increasingly westernised future South Africa.

S Afr Med J 1995; 85: 588-590