Suicide and Attempted Suicide in Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Obesity and Weight-Image Concern

Completed suicide is a major cause of death in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Meta-analyses have shown that individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa commit suicide more often than their counterparts in the general population. In addition, several studies have suggested that suicide is the major cause of death among patients with anorexia nervosa, refuting the assumption that malnutrition threatens the life of these patients. Data concerning completed suicide in bulimia nervosa, on the other hand, are still scarce but suicide attempts (a major risk factor for completed suicide) are common among cohorts of patients with bulimia nervosa. Suicidality in obese persons and individuals with disturbed weight status has been reported. In both bulimia nervosa and obesity, more long-term follow-up studies are before the risk of suicide may be compared with that for anorexia nervosa.