International Journal of Child and Adolescent Health ISSN: 1939-5930 Volume1, Issue 4 © 2008 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Editorial Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating: Socio-Cultural and Familial Perspectives Associate Professor Yael Latzer 1 , DSc, Associate Professor Daniel Stein 2 , MD and Professor Joav Merrick 3 , MD, MMedSci, DMSc 1 Director, Institute for the Treatment and Study of Eating Disorders, Division of Psychiatry, Rambam, Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel. affiliated with the Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Siences, Haifa University, Israel. Email:latzer@zahav.net.il 2 Director, Pediatric Psychosomatic Department, Edmond and Lily Safra Children’s Hospital, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. E-mail: dstein@netvision.net.il 3 Director, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Medical Director, Ministry of Social Affairs, Jerusalem, Israel and Professor of Pediatrics, Kentucky Children’s Hospital, University of Kentucky, Lexington, United States of America. E-mail: jmerrick@zahav.net.il Editorial Eating disorders (EDs) and disordered eating behaviors are considered a major disease of the modern World, being among the most prevailing public health problems in female adolescents and young adults in recent decades, and reaching in many Western countries an epidemic proportion (1). EDs are a complex, often misunderstood, bio-psycho-socio construct, likely reflecting an inter-dependent interaction of antecedent genetic, biological, psychological, familial and socio-cultural parameters (2). The different EDs are group into several well- known clinical entities. According to the most updated diagnostic criteria of the American Psychiatric Association, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, Text Revised (DSM-IV-TR (3), the different EDs are categorized into anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED) and eating disorders not otherwise specified (ED-NOS), also termed partial, or sub-clinical, ED syndromes. The latter group includes a variety of maladaptive eating- related preoccupations and behaviors that do not reach the severity of full-blown ED (4), but are distinct from mere dieting and disturbances in body image in having the potential to induce significant morbidity. Furthermore, almost half of individuals with ED-NOS may progress to the full syndrome within several years (5). Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is currently considered a separate provisional category in the DSM-IV-TR (3), although formally it is still diagnosed within the ED-NOS spectrum. EDs can be differentiated according to weight (low in AN, normal in BN and often overweight in BED), and the presence or absence of bingeing and No part of this digital document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means. The publisher has taken reasonable care in the preparation of this digital document, but makes no expressed or implied warranty of any kind and assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for incidental or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of information contained herein. This digital document is sold with the clear understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, medical or any other professional services.