44% of French women suffer from eating disorders in their lifetime.
Friday, June 3, 2022 was under the sign of International Day of eating disorders (TCA). For the occasion, a new investigation conducted with IPSOS was published by Qare, a teleconsultation specialist in France. Among the major trends revealed, we learn that 44% of French women surveyed admitted to having suffered from food imbalances in their lives. 53% of them stress that it lasted for several years.
In detail, eating disorders affected mainly the young French population. Indeed, the results of the survey reveal that 61% of women aged 16-24 and 59% of those aged 25-34 are concerned; against % of 35-54 year olds and 32% of over 55 year olds. People with a low income are also more prone to eating disorders: 51% for women earning less than 21,000 euros net per year; against 36% for those earning more than 36,000 euros net per year.
“Young women are particularly subject to societal injunctions at the time of puberty, and those concerningfeed are numerous. Without turning into a severe form of eating disorders (ED), young girls are subject to double pressure: that of a body that changes much more than that of young boys, added to the pressure of sexuality. Controlling their diet, controlling their weight gives them the feeling of being in control and responding to their deep anxieties. This is why we talk about food anxiety: anxieties are expressed in the relationship they have with food,” explains psychiatrist Fanny Jacq.
We also learn that eating disorders in women are very polarized, playing between restriction and excess. 45% of participants surveyed said they were affected by “yoyo” periods between diet and excess and the same number by excessive food intake, ie on the one hand a deprivation disorder, and on the other a compulsive disorder.