Trends in the prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in China, 1992–2021: an age-period-cohort analysis

ObjectiveThis study aims to analyze the temporal trends in the incidence and prevalence of anorexia nervosa (AN) in China from 1992 to 2021, focusing on age, period, and cohort effects, in order to provide evidence for the prevention and control of anxiety-related disorders.MethodsData on the incide...

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Main Authors: Jun Tian, Yuheng He, Yiyi Chen, Zheng Tang, Yongzhao Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1634147/full
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author Jun Tian
Jun Tian
Yuheng He
Yuheng He
Yiyi Chen
Yiyi Chen
Zheng Tang
Yongzhao Zhou
author_facet Jun Tian
Jun Tian
Yuheng He
Yuheng He
Yiyi Chen
Yiyi Chen
Zheng Tang
Yongzhao Zhou
author_sort Jun Tian
collection DOAJ
description ObjectiveThis study aims to analyze the temporal trends in the incidence and prevalence of anorexia nervosa (AN) in China from 1992 to 2021, focusing on age, period, and cohort effects, in order to provide evidence for the prevention and control of anxiety-related disorders.MethodsData on the incidence and prevalence of anorexia nervosa in China were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Joinpoint regression analysis was employed to assess trends over time, while an age-period-cohort (APC) model was used to estimate the net effects of age, period, and cohort variables.ResultsFrom 1992 to 2021, the incidence and prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in China showed a general upward trend. The annual percent change (APC) for incidence was 1.29%, and for prevalence was 0.31%, with both rates consistently higher in females than in males. Age effects revealed that the highest incidence and prevalence occurred between ages 10 and 25, followed by a gradual decline. Period effects demonstrated a consistent upward trend across the total population. Cohort analysis indicated an intergenerational increase in the risk of anorexia nervosa.ConclusionThe incidence and prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in China have increased steadily from 1992 to 2021. This growing disease burden, with marked age and gender disparities, highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions, especially among adolescents and women.
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spelling doaj-art-dd87ae9ed12642dfa72011a4a0566aa52025-08-25T04:10:23ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-08-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.16341471634147Trends in the prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in China, 1992–2021: an age-period-cohort analysisJun Tian0Jun Tian1Yuheng He2Yuheng He3Yiyi Chen4Yiyi Chen5Zheng Tang6Yongzhao Zhou7Mental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaIntegrated Care Management Center, Outpatient Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaMental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaIntegrated Care Management Center, Outpatient Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaMental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaIntegrated Care Management Center, Outpatient Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaMental Health Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaIntegrated Care Management Center, Outpatient Department, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, ChinaObjectiveThis study aims to analyze the temporal trends in the incidence and prevalence of anorexia nervosa (AN) in China from 1992 to 2021, focusing on age, period, and cohort effects, in order to provide evidence for the prevention and control of anxiety-related disorders.MethodsData on the incidence and prevalence of anorexia nervosa in China were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Joinpoint regression analysis was employed to assess trends over time, while an age-period-cohort (APC) model was used to estimate the net effects of age, period, and cohort variables.ResultsFrom 1992 to 2021, the incidence and prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in China showed a general upward trend. The annual percent change (APC) for incidence was 1.29%, and for prevalence was 0.31%, with both rates consistently higher in females than in males. Age effects revealed that the highest incidence and prevalence occurred between ages 10 and 25, followed by a gradual decline. Period effects demonstrated a consistent upward trend across the total population. Cohort analysis indicated an intergenerational increase in the risk of anorexia nervosa.ConclusionThe incidence and prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in China have increased steadily from 1992 to 2021. This growing disease burden, with marked age and gender disparities, highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions, especially among adolescents and women.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1634147/fullanorexia nervosaepidemiological trendsage-period-cohort modelGBDGBD database
spellingShingle Jun Tian
Jun Tian
Yuheng He
Yuheng He
Yiyi Chen
Yiyi Chen
Zheng Tang
Yongzhao Zhou
Trends in the prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in China, 1992–2021: an age-period-cohort analysis
Frontiers in Public Health
anorexia nervosa
epidemiological trends
age-period-cohort model
GBD
GBD database
title Trends in the prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in China, 1992–2021: an age-period-cohort analysis
title_full Trends in the prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in China, 1992–2021: an age-period-cohort analysis
title_fullStr Trends in the prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in China, 1992–2021: an age-period-cohort analysis
title_full_unstemmed Trends in the prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in China, 1992–2021: an age-period-cohort analysis
title_short Trends in the prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in China, 1992–2021: an age-period-cohort analysis
title_sort trends in the prevalence of anorexia nervosa among individuals under 45 years in china 1992 2021 an age period cohort analysis
topic anorexia nervosa
epidemiological trends
age-period-cohort model
GBD
GBD database
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1634147/full
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