Examining the significance of age of onset in persons with lifetime anorexia nervosa: Comparing child, adolescent, and emerging adult onsets in nationally representative U.S. study.

Our findings, based on a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults with lifetime diagnoses of AN, suggest that those with child-onset had more severe AN, greater life difficulties, and greater lifetime psychiatric comorbidity. Findings emphasize the importance of earlier recognition and rapid referral to effective treatments.