This retrospective exploratory study examined demographic variables in a sample of anorexia nervosa patients hospitalised from January 1987 to December 1996. The researcher undertook an extensive literature review of the history and epidemiology of anorexia nervosa, and found that, while changes in the demography of anorexia nervosa patients are evident in industrialised and developing countries, there is a paucity of equivalent data for South Africa. The archival records of 254 anorectics admitted for the first time to an in-patient tertiary referral centre were reviewed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were computed to determine the demographic profile of the sample, to ascertain changes in demographic variables over the ten-year period of study, and to explore the relationships between these variables. Results reflect the typical anorectic admitted to the hospital of study as a white, female, between the ages 15 to 20, and from the upper to middle social classes. The mean weight at admission for the sample was 39.24 kilograms, while the mean body mass index was 14.78 kilograms/metre2. While no significant increase in admission rates within the ten-year period was found, a marked increase in admission rates is seen when the present study's findings of 254 first admissions over ten years (averaging 25 admissions per year) is compared to a previous study's findings of 54 admissions over a three-year period (averaging 18 admissions per year) at the same institution. Over the ten-year period of study, no significant trends or relationships were found with regard to the following variables: sex; race; age at admission; and socioeconomic status. However, a significant decreasing trend in weight and body mass index was found from 1987 to 1996, and a significant relationship was found between mother's socioeconomic status, and subject's weight and body mass index, respectively. Results also show evidence of an increasing number of males, Indians, children, and individuals over the age of 40 becoming vulnerable to anorexia nervosa. The extent to which these findings are generalisable to a broader-based South African cohort are questionable, due to the fact that the study was conducted in a single setting, and due to the influence of the historical context of the setting. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1999.

Background: Anorexia Nervosa is mental health problem which crosses both psychological and physical realms. It is also known to be a difficulty that often arises in adolescence. Unfortunately its prognosis is not favourable with elevated rates of chronicity and a higher mortality rate than any other psychiatric disorder in adolescence. Objectives: This research set out to explore the experiences of young people about the early stages of Anorexia. It was anticipated that this would improve clinicians’ knowledge in this area. Design and Method: This study adopted a qualitative Grounded Theory design for the interviewing and analysing process. Eight participants took part in an interview on their experiences of the early stages of Anorexia. The participants were aged between 13-17 years old. The majority were female with one male participant. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and data were analysed using NVivo software. The process of analysis involved moving between the interviews and generating codes. Through this repeated process the themes emerged from and were validated by the data. Results & Conclusions. Themes developed which illustrated the importance of the interpersonal context. Further analysis and conclusions were drawn from this and presented as this study’s main findings. The main findings were that there is a strong emotional element to the experiences of the early stages of Anorexia; that the level of awareness into Anorexia is something that develops and finally that emotions and awareness impact on responses to interpersonal interactions. The results were considered in reference to literature and clinical recommendations were provided.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1991. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 105-112). Also available via the Internet.

Dissertation (MHSc--Health Science) -- Auckland University of Technology. / Also held in print (69 leaves, 30 cm.) in North Shore Theses Collection (T 616.85262 BLI)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Liberty University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

Zugl.: Osnabrück, Univ., Diss., 2007

Dissertation (MHSc--Health Science) -- AUT University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print ( 67 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.) in the Archive at the City Campus (T 616.8526 RUA)

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1983. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-80).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2005. Graduate Programme in Women's Studies. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 176-184). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url%5Fver=Z39.88-2004&res%5Fdat=xri:pqdiss&rft%5Fval%5Ffmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft%5Fdat=xri:pqdiss:NR11571