The Annual Review of Eating Disorders, published through the Academy for Eating Disorders, presents a comprehensive, clinically orientated review of 2 years of empirical and clinical Eating Disorder (ED) literature. This second part covers the years 2004-2006. The time lag from original papers to review is a little frustrating, but unavoidable. Nonetheless, for the busy clinician, trainee or researcher, this is an invaluable resource. Short and eminently readable, this book provides a wonderfully succinct, state of the science summary, saving much of the time and energy needed to keep abreast of the field. It is an ideal base from which to go on to read key publications from the period (highlighted in the reference section of each chapter), or to read in more depth about areas of interest.
The book is presented in 10 chapters covering psychobiology, genetics, socio-cultural influences, epidemiology, body image, personality, neuro-imaging, children and adolescents, treatment of bulimia nervosa and treatment of anorexia nervosa. Each is reviewed with an appropriate level of breadth and depth by experts in the respective fields. For every chapter, an abstract orientates the reader to the content, and a helpful concluding summary of important findings and future directions consolidates learning. A clinical focus is retained throughout, with a summary of clinical implications at the end of each chapter.