72.1 Phenomenology and Epidemiology of Asian American Youths With AN Eating Disorder

Abstract

This section presents known epidemiological and phenomenology data on Asian American (AA) youths with eating disorders (EDs), and it bridges the practice gap in identifying and diagnosing EDs in AA youths. Although EDs were predominately first described in Western culture, recent literature suggests that EDs are as prevalent or more prevalent in Asian cultures, but they are frequently underdiagnosed, which may be related to multiple societal cultural factors including mental health stigma. We will engage the audience in a discussion around the epidemiology, diagnosis, and clinical presentations of EDs in AA youths, emphasizing similarities and differences, compared with non–Asian American youths.