anorexia nervosa statistics 2022

Boca Recovery Center - Your Path to Recovery

The State of Eating Disorders in 2022: Statistics, Prevalence, Treatment, & More

Home » Treatment » Eating Disorders Statistics and Treatment

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions. They can impact people of all ages, sexes, ethnicities, and cultures. Early treatment and intervention provide the best success rates.

• Types of Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are extremely common, as nearly 1 out of every 10 Americans is expected to develop one in their lifetime. 

Eating disorders involve distorted feelings and behaviors related to food and eating. They can have serious and often fatal consequences. 

What Are the Different Eating Disorders?

Eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice. They are serious mental health conditions involving disturbances in eating behaviors, emotions, and thoughts about food and eating. 

There are four main eating disorders.

• Anorexia nervosa: Anorexia involves serious restriction of food and/or calorie intake and a distorted vision of self as overweight even if underweight. 
• Bulimia nervosa: Bulimia generally follows a binge-purge pattern of eating where an individual eats a large amount of food in a binge and then compensates for this with laxatives or diuretics, forced vomiting, excessive exercise, or a combination of these actions.
• Binge eating disorder: Unlike with bulimia, binge eating disorder is not followed by purging behaviors and involves a loss of control over eating.
• Avoidant-restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID): ARFID involves severely restricting the amount or type of food eaten, but unlike with anorexia, this is not due to a distorted body image.

People with eating disorders are not always severely underweight. Eating disorders are often overlooked and under diagnosed. 

Eating disorders are commonly life-threatening , leading to medical complications related to starvation as well as high rates of suicide.

Eating Disorder Statistics

Eating disorders are common around the globe, impacting a wide range of populations and demographics. They commonly develop during adolescence, but they can impact children and older adults as well. 

While eating disorders have commonly been considered to mainly impact women and those in Western countries, studies show that men also develop eating disorders, and there is a high prevalence of eating disorders in Asia and developing Middle Eastern countries. 

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia more commonly impacts women than men, but both men and women can develop it. Women have a lifetime prevalence of up to 4 percent , while men have a lifetime prevalence of up to 0.3 percent. The rate of anorexia is also increasing in adolescents and young teens (those under the age of 15). 

Bulimia Nervosa

Rates of bulimia nervosa are declining over time. Currently, up to 3 percent of women and up to 1 percent of men have a lifetime incidence of bulimia. The overall prevalence of bulimia is estimated at 0.3 percent with women being five times more likely to have bulimia than men with rates of 0.5 percent and 0.1 percent respectively.

Binge Eating Disorder

Binge eating disorder impacts an estimated 1.5 percent of women and 0.3 percent of men globally. The disorder is commonly overlooked and likely underreported. 

Binge eating disorder is nearly always (94 percent of the time) accompanied with lifetime mental health symptoms and health conditions, including these:

• Mood disorders
• Substance use disorders
• Anxiety disorders
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Borderline personality disorder
• Suicidal ideations
• Type 2 diabetes
• Hypertension

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID)

ARFID is most common in children and adolescents. It is highly comorbid with anxiety disorders (around 75 percent), mood disorders (close to 33 percent), and autism spectrum disorders (close to 20 percent). 

It is considered a relatively new eating disorder, and lifetime prevalence is estimated to be between 5 percent and 13 percent . Young males most commonly struggle with ARFID. 

ARFID is often related to a fear of choking or vomiting or due to sensory issues with certain foods. 

Adolescents

Most eating disorders begin in the teen years or early adulthood, with 95 percent of first-time cases occurring by age 25. Nearly half report an onset of an eating disorder between the ages of 16 and 20. 

About half of teenage girls and a third of teenage boys engage in unhealthy behaviors and disordered eating to try and control weight. In adolescents, anorexia is one of the top three chronic illnesses. 

The mortality rate for females between the ages of 15 and 24 is 12 times higher for anorexia than any other cause of death.

College Students

Nearly all women (91 percent) surveyed on a college campus tried to control their weight through dieting, and a quarter of college-aged women binge and purge to manage their weight. Transgender college students engage in disordered eating behaviors quadruple the rate of their cisgender peers. 

The lifetime prevalence for eating disorders among teens between the ages of 13 and 18 is nearly 3 percent. Eating disorders are twice as common in females than males.

Athletes are a specialty category of people that commonly struggle with eating disorders, especially those in sports that have a heavy emphasis on body shape, size, weight, or appearance, such as swimming, gymnastics, bodybuilding, wrestling, dancing, figure skating, horse racing, rowing, and diving. In these types of sports, more than 60 percent of women have eating disorders, and a third of male athletes do. 

Minority populations are often at a higher risk for eating disorders, which can include marginalized racial and cultural groups, members of the LGBTQ+ population, and those with lower socioeconomic status. 

Studies have shown that African American teenage girls are nearly twice as likely to engage in bulimic behaviors than their Caucasian peers. Girls from low-income families struggle with bulimia more often than their peers from middle- and high-income families. Hispanic adolescents are also more likely to have bulimia than non-Hispanic teenagers. All minority groups are shown to have a higher incidence of binge eating disorder.

Members of the LGBTQ+ population commonly engage in disordered eating and have dysfunctional body images, often in an effort to fit into a specific stereotype that they believe to be “ideal.” Eating disorders are more common in gay men than in heterosexual men, for instance. Bisexual and gay boys are more likely than their peers to take laxatives, diet pills, vomit, or fast to control their weight. 

Nonbinary people also regularly restrict eating to maintain their perceived optimal androgynous stereotype reflected in popular culture. 

Although women are more commonly diagnosed with eating disorders than men, and men are less likely to seek treatment for an eating disorder, nearly 10 million men will develop an eating disorder in their lifetime. Close to 20 percent of those with anorexia are men. Around a third of men with an eating disorder also have a history of sexual abuse. 

Gay men are 12 times more likely to report purging behaviors and 7 times more likely to report binge eating behaviors than straight men.

Mortality Rates

Over 10,000 people die from an eating disorder each year. More than one person dies every hour, and eating disorders have the highest mortality rate out of all mental illnesses. The mortality rate for men is twice that of women even though women more commonly have anorexia than men. 

The following are common causes of death for eating disorders:

• Cardiac complications
• Organ failure
• Dehydration

Nearly 8.5 percent of women and 2.5 percent of men have a lifetime weighted mean rate of an eating disorder diagnosis. It is estimated that nearly 30 million people in the United States have an eating disorder, and eating disorders impact around 9 percent of the world’s population. 

The 12-month prevalence of any eating disorder is 0.43 percent . More recently defined types of eating disorders, such as binge eating disorder, are more prevalent than anorexia and bulimia today. 

Eating disorder rates are also likely underreported, as many statistics only include anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Research shows that 41.9 million cases of eating disorders were underrepresented in 2019, with 17.3 million people having binge eating disorder and 24.6 million people having OSFED (other specified feeding or eating disorder) globally.

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the onset of eating disorder behaviors, diagnoses, and the severity of symptoms and comorbidities around the world, including in North America, Europe, and Australia. Studies show that the incidence of eating disorders rose 15.3 percent in 2020 over previous years. This could be attributed to the isolation related to the pandemic, as eating disorders are often solitary conditions. 

Eating Disorder Treatment 

Early intervention and treatment for an eating disorder are key for lowering potential medical and mental health complications and improving outcomes and recovery rates. 

People with eating disorders have high rates of depression, suicide, medical complications, and additional co-occurring disorders like substance abuse and addiction. Treatment for an eating disorder should be comprehensive and include a variety of modalities aimed at treating the whole person. 

Comprehensive treatment should include the following methods:

• Individual, group, and family therapies: Behavioral therapies can help to investigate the root cause of the eating disorder to positively modify harmful and disordered patterns of thinking that lead to an unhealthy relationship with food and negative body image.
• Medical care and monitoring: People with eating disorders often have health issues related to disordered eating or food restriction. These will need to be addressed and managed during treatment by medical professionals. This can often involve refeeding, which will need to be monitored and managed with care.
• Medications: Since eating disorders commonly co-occur with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, mood stabilizers, antidepressants, and antipsychotics can be beneficial when used in conjunction with therapeutic means.
• Nutritional counseling: Eating disorders involve unhealthy relationships with food and eating behaviors. It can be helpful to include education and counseling on nutrition to reorganize thoughts and the way a person views food.

Support groups made up of peers who also have eating disorders or who are in recovery can provide a sense of community and resources. ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders) hosts a variety of Eating Disorder Peer Support Groups .

If you or someone you know struggles with an eating disorder, NEDA (National Eating Disorders Association) provides the NEDA Helpline . They offer referrals and information on how to get help and support.

• National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, 2022. (February 2022). Federal Register.
• Eating Disorders. National Institute of Mental Health.
• Eating Disorders Are on the Rise. (February 2021). American Society for Nutrition.
• Incidence, Prevalence, and Mortality of Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa. (November 2021). Current Opinion in Psychiatry.
• Eating Disorders Statistics. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
• Epidemiology of Binge Eating Disorder: Prevalence, Course, Comorbidity, and Risk Factors. (November 2021). Current Opinion in Psychiatry.
• Statistics & Research on Eating Disorders. (2022). National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).
• GP82 Prevalence Rates for Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) in Tertiary Feeding Clinic in UK. (2019). Archives of Disease in Childhood.
• Estimation of Eating Disorders Prevalence by Age and Associations With Mortality in a Simulated Nationally Represented US Cohort. (2019). JAMA Network Open.
• Eating Disorder Statistics. (2021). National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.
• Race, Social Class, and Bulimia Nervosa. (July 2011). IZA Discussion Paper No. 583.
• Eating Disorders in Men & Boys. (2022). National Eating Disorders Association.
• Eating Disorders in Males. (November 2021). National Eating Disorders Collaboration.
• Eating Disorders in Men: Underdiagnosed, Undertreated, and Misunderstood. (October 2012). Eating Disorders.
• Eating Disorder Statistics. (October 2020). GenPysch.
• Mortality and Risk Assessment for Anorexia Nervosa in Acute-Care Hospitals; a Nationwide Administrative Database Analysis. (January 2020). BMC Psychiatry.
• Prevalence of Eating Disorders Over the 2000-2018 Period: A Systematic Literature Review. (May 2019). The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
• An Update to the Prevalence of Eating Disorders in the General Population: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (April 2021). Eating and Weight Disorders – Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia, and Obesity.
• The Hidden Burden of Eating Disorders: An Extension of Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. (March 2021). The Lancet Psychiatry.
• The Hidden Burden of Eating Disorders During the COVID-19 Pandemic. (January 2022). The Lancet Psychiatry.
• Eating Disorders in the Time of COVID-19. (April 2020). Journal of Eating Disorders.
• A Systematic Scoping Review of Research on COVID‐19 Impacts on Eating Disorders: A Critical Appraisal of the Evidence and Recommendations for the Field. (January 2022). International Journal of Eating Disorders.
• The Impact of the COVID‐19 Pandemic on Eating Disorder Risk and Symptoms. (July 2020). International Journal of Eating Disorders.
• Eating Disorder Peer Support Groups. (2021). National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.
• Contact the Helpline. (2022). National Eating Disorders Association.
• BPD Treatment
• OCD Treatment
• Bipolar Disorder
• Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment
• Eating Disorders

• Skip to main content
• Skip to footer

Break Binge Eating

Helping You Break Free of Eating Disorders

2023 Eating Disorder Statistics: 79+ Unthinkable Facts

March 3, 2023 By Dr Jake Linardon 10 Comments

Every 62 minutes at least one person dies as a direct result from an eating disorder 1 STRIPED Harvard. 2020. Report: Economic Costs Of Eating Disorders. [online] Available at: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/striped/report-economic-costs-of-eating-disorders/ [Accessed 15 August 2020]. jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_1687_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_1687_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], }); . STRIPED Harvard, 2020

Eating disorders are debilitating conditions that negatively impact a person’s life across many domains.

They represent the third most common chronic illnesses, and they take a substantial economic toll on the individual, their families and society at large.

No one is fully immune from an eating disorder; they can affect people from all walks of life, no matter your age, gender, or ethnicity.

Eating disorders have become even more pronounced and prevalent during and following the COVID-19 pandemic, partly because of the social distancing policies, mandated stay at home orders, and the disruption to health care services.

In fact, in 2020 there was a 66% increase in eating disorder hospital admissions!

Awareness of eating disorders and their devastating impact is fundamental if we are to reduce and encourage help-seeking, reduce any stigma, and show care and compassion towards those affected.

Let’s get started on some essential statistics for 2023.

Table of Contents

Essential Eating Disorder Statistics

Before I jump into specific statistics relevant to the three primary eating disorders, I first want to cover some essential statistics related to eating disorders and eating disorder behaviors in general.

• In 2018-2019, the US estimated 4.39 million cases of women with eating disorders and 1.09 million cases of men
• Compared to their heterosexual counterparts, sexual minority young adults hospitalized for an eating disorder were more likely to report a psychiatric comorbidity (69% vs. 48%).

These are some pretty eye-opening statistics straight off the bat.

Now, let’s review other crucial statistics for the major types of eating disorders.

Anorexia Nervosa Statistics

Anorexia nervosa involves extreme dietary restriction leading to a potentially life-threatening body weight, accompanied by a distorted self-image.

Anorexia nervosa, unfortunately, is an eating disorder on the rise.

Not only is anorexia nervosa associated with high mortality rates, but the behaviors, cognitions, and perceptions that underpin anorexia nervosa are associated with severe impairment in physical, social, and psychological functioning.

Let’s delve into some key facts and statistics on anorexia nervosa;

Bulimia Nervosa Statistics

Bulimia nervosa is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating during in combination with inappropriate compensatory behaviours, such as self-induced vomiting or laxative use.

It’s a potentially lethal disorder because of the dangerous compensatory behaviours practiced.

Bulimia nervosa can also cause depression , feelings of low self-worth, and impairment in functioning.

Binge Eating Disorder Statistics

Binge-eating disorder is one of the most common eating disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating without the use of any inappropriate compensatory behaviors.

Binge-eating disorder is highly comorbid with obesity and is associated with several health risks, including Type 2 diabetes and hypertension. The disorder is also associated with marked distress and impairment in functioning.

Below are some essentials. View our full list of critical facts and statistics for binge-eating disorder here .

• Around 15% of people with binge-eating disorder attempt suicide

Struggling with binge eating? Follow my 5 Proven Steps To Stopping Binge Eating here .

Essential Eating Disorder Facts

What is the mortality rate of eating disorders overall, what are the mortality rates for specific eating disorders, how many people currently have an eating disorder, what is the lifetime prevalence of bulimia nervosa, what is the most common eating disorder in the usa, how many people die from anorexia nervosa, eating disorders during covid-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on most people around the world. One of the unfortunate consequences of the pandemic is the rise in eating disorders and eating disorder behaviours.

• 65% of people with an eating disorder reported more food restriction during
• 35% of people with an eating disorder reported more frequent binge episodes
• 19% of people with an eating disorder reported more frequent purging episodes
• Among individuals with anorexia nervosa, 50% reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression and anxiety during the pandemic
• 27% of Australian’s from the general population reported more severe food restriction during the pandemic
• 34% of Australian’s from the general population reported more binge eating episodes during the pandemic
• In German women with anorexia nervosa, 40% agreed that their symptoms worsened, 20% agreed that they developed new symptoms, and 50% agreed that their quality of life has been more impacted.
• In the same sample of German women with anorexia nervosa, around 70% stated that their fear of weight gain, concerns with shape, weight, and eating, and drive for thinness worsened during the pandemic.
• In a sample of UK women with eating disorders, 80% stated that their symptoms had gotten worse during the lockdown.

Hopefully, these statistics have provided you with additional insight toward eating disorders and their impact.

Now I’d like to turn it over to you, what statistic surprised you the most?

Let me know by leaving a comment below.

[Bonus] Infographic

Interested in more facts and statistics? Check out our ultimate list of 20+ body image statistics .

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

References [ + ]

About Dr Jake Linardon

Dr Jake Linardon, PhD, is the founder of Break Binge Eating and a Research Fellow and Lecturer of Psychology at Deakin University, Melbourne Australia. He studies the causes, consequences, and treatments for eating disorders. He has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters on eating disorders, and serves as an editorial board member for the International Journal of Eating Disorders.

Reader Interactions

April 29, 2019 at 1:46 pm

Unfortunately, nothing surprising but extremely sad 🙁

May 2, 2019 at 3:47 pm

You’re telling me! Hopefully, with all the hard work and research going into the field, we can see some these numbers turn around. Thanks for reading Alena.

February 3, 2020 at 3:28 am

has the number come down due to the increase of intuitive eating and body image movement?

March 8, 2020 at 7:30 am

Unfortunately it hasn’t. It has actually increased quite a bit over the past decade. While the intuitive eating and positive body image movement have been important in raising awareness and promoting healthy behaviours and attitudes, there’s still a lot more work left to be done.

March 22, 2021 at 10:09 am

Great read thanks for putting this together!

March 30, 2021 at 12:51 am

Thank you Maria!

October 29, 2022 at 1:23 pm

Hi Jake, Interesting read could you guide me as to where I can find the references for your article as I would like to use some of these stats to help educate people about eating disorders. Many thanks, Ros

October 29, 2022 at 1:59 pm

It’s ok I found it thanks!!

May 5, 2023 at 1:32 pm

I would love the references you used for this document as I would like to use them and cite the source for a presentation in the community.

July 22, 2023 at 4:03 am

Below the article there’s a ‘References’ tab which includes citations for every statistic mentioned in the article. Hope that helps 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Join Over 15,000+ Happy Subscribers

Get the latest in binge eating straight to your inbox every month + a free copy of my eBook, the ‘5 Proven Steps To Breaking The Binge Eating Cycle’.

Sign Up Today

Don’t Miss Another Update.

A virtual space to come together and find community in recovery.

ANAD peer mentors offer free one-on-one eating disorder support online.

An online directory of therapists, dietitians, physicians, treatment centers, and more.

Our series of guides on eating disorder recovery and other related topics.

ANAD Helpline

Our trained volunteers are the key to many of the ways ANAD helps our community. 

Get listed in ANAD’s online, eating disorders treatment directory.

Ideas for fun and accessible fundraisers to raise valuable support for ANAD’s free services. 

Discover the impact of the philanthropic partnership between ANAD and Delta Phi Epsilon.

Donate to ANAD

Your donation to National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) goes directly to supporting our mission of providing free support services.

Key facts, stats, and references related to eating disorders and those affected. 

Eating Disorder Warning Signs

Info to help you self-assess whether you or a friend may have an eating disorder.

Stay up-to-date with the latest articles and resources from ANAD. 

Read the stories of healing and support through our series JourneyED. 

All of ANAD’s guides in one place – great resource for individuals and organizations.

Curated to educate, motivate and inspire anyone affected by an eating disorder

Eating Disorder Types & Symptoms

Information about all different types of eating disorders. 

Athletes and Eating Disorders

Specialized information for athletes who are affected by eating disorders.

Professional insights on a range of eating disorder related topics.

Explore the latest news related to eating disorder research.

Understand the role of mentors in recovery.

• Eating disorders affect at least 9% of the population worldwide. 1
• 9% of the U.S. population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. 2
• Less than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically diagnosed as “underweight.” 21
• 28-74% of risk for eating disorders is through genetic heritability. 1
• Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to opioid overdose. 1
• 10,200 deaths each year are the direct result of an eating disorder—that’s one death every 52 minutes. 2
• About 26% of people with eating disorders attempt suicide. 1
• 30% of people dealing with eating disorders have experienced sexual abuse. 23
• The economic cost of eating disorders is $64.7 billion every year. 2

BIPOC* Eating Disorder Statistics

* BIPOC refers to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color

• BIPOC are significantly less likely than white people to have been asked by a doctor about eating disorder symptoms. 3
• BIPOC with eating disorders are half as likely to be diagnosed or to receive treatment. 2
• Black people are less likely to be diagnosed with anorexia than white people but may experience the condition for a longer period of time. 4
• Black teenagers are 50% more likely than white teenagers to exhibit bulimic behavior, such as binge-eating and purging. 3
• Hispanic people are significantly more likely to suffer from bulimia nervosa than their non-Hispanic peers. 3
• Asian American college students report higher rates of restriction compared with their white peers and higher rates of purging, muscle building, and cognitive restraint than their white or non-Asian, BIPOC peers. 5
• Asian American college students report higher levels of body dissatisfaction and negative attitudes toward obesity than their non-Asian, BIPOC peers. 5
• Gay men are seven times more likely to report binge-eating and twelve times more likely to report purging than heterosexual men. 6
• Gay and bisexual boys are significantly more likely to fast, vomit, or take laxatives or diet pills to control their weight. 6

Nearly nine in ten (87%) LGBTQ youth reported being dissatisfied with their body. 22

Rates of body dissatisfaction were higher among transgender and nonbinary youth (90%) compared to cisgender youth (80%). 22

LGBTQ youth with body dissatisfaction had twice the odds of reporting a suicide attempt in the past year compared to LGBTQ youth with body satisfaction.  22

• Transgender college students report experiencing disordered eating at approximately four times the rate of their cisgender classmates. 7
• 32% of transgender people report using their eating disorder to modify their body without hormones. 8
• 56% of transgender people with eating disorders believe their disorder is not related to their physical body. 8
• Gender dysphoria and body dissatisfaction in transgender people is often cited as a key link to eating disorders. 7
• Non-binary people may restrict their eating to appear thin, consistent with the common stereotype of androgynous people in popular culture. 7
• Women with physical disabilities are more likely to develop eating disorders. 9
• 20-30% of adults with eating disorders also have autism. 10
• 3-10% of children and young people with eating disorders also have autism. 10
• 20% of women with anorexia have high levels of autistic traits. There is some evidence that these women benefit the least from current eating disorder treatment models. 10
• ADHD is the most commonly missed diagnosis in relation to disordered eating. 11
• Larger body size is both a risk factor for developing an eating disorder and a common outcome for people who struggle with bulimia and binge eating disorder. 12
• People in larger bodies are half as likely as those at a “normal weight” or “underweight” to be diagnosed with an eating disorder. 13
• Athletes report higher rates of excessive exercise than non‐athletes. 14
• Athletes are more likely to screen positive for an eating disorder than non‐athletes, but percentages across all probable eating disorder diagnoses are similar. 14
• Athletes may be less likely to seek treatment for an eating disorder due to stigma, accessibility, and sport‐specific barriers. 14
• The most common type of eating disorders among military members is bulimia nervosa.” 15
• Body dysmorphic disorder affects 1-3% of the overall population but 13% of male military members and 21.7% of female military members. 15
• A survey of 3,000 female military members found that the majority of respondents exhibited eating disorder symptoms. 15
• One study found high rates of body dissatisfaction and previous disordered eating behaviors in a sample of young, female Marine Corps recruits. 15
• 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner. 16
• 81% of 10 year old children are afraid of being fat. 17
• 46% of 9-11 year-olds are “sometimes” or “very often” on diets. 18
• 35-57% of adolescent girls engage in crash dieting, fasting, self-induced vomiting, diet pills, or laxatives. 19
• In a college campus survey, 91% of the women admitted to controlling their weight through dieting. 20

Sponsored By:

Your support makes a difference.

ANAD is a donation-based recovery community. We believe eating disorder support should be affordable and accessible to all. To continue offering our services for free to those who need it, we rely on donations from those who can afford them. Please consider supporting our mission.

Stay up to date with the ANAD Newsletter.

ANAD is the leading nonprofit in the U.S. that provides free, peer support services to anyone struggling with an eating disorder, regardless of age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, or background.

• (888) 375.7767
• PO Box 409047 Chicago, IL 60640

Support Our Work

ANAD is committed to providing free, peer support services to anyone struggling with an eating disorder. We appreciate your support.  Make a tax-deductible donation today.  

ANAD is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 36-2938021).

Our free, Eating Disorders Helpline is available for treatment referrals, support and encouragement, and general questions about eating disorders.

• Call helpline (888) 375-7767
• Find a Support Group
• Request a Recovery Mentor
• Search Treatment Directory

Our Helpline is available Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm CST. We will return messages left outside of these hours.

All content © 2023 National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. All Rights Reserved.

• Arcelus, Jon et al. “Mortality rates in patients with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders. A meta-analysis of 36 studies.”  Archives of general psychiatry  68,7 (2011): 724-31.  https://doi.org/10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2011.74
• Deloitte Access Economics.  The Social and Economic Cost of Eating Disorders in the United States of America: A Report for the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders and the Academy for Eating Disorders.  June 2020. Available at:  https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/striped/report-economic-costs-of-eating-disorders/ .
• Becker, A. E., Franko, D. L., Speck, A., & Herzog, D. B. (2003). Ethnicity and differential access to care for eating disorder symptoms.  International Journal of Eating Disorders,  33(2), 205-212. doi:10.1002/eat.10129
• Sala, M., Reyes-Rodríguez, M. L., Bulik, C. M., & Bardone-Cone, A. (2013). Race, ethnicity, and eating disorder recognition by peers.  Eating disorders ,  21 (5), 423–436.  https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2013.827540
• Uri, R. C., Wu, Y., Baker, J. H., & Munn-Chernoff, M. A. (2021). Eating disorder symptoms in Asian American college students.  Eating Behaviors,   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eatbeh.2020.101458
• Eating Disorders in LGBTQ+ Populations. (2018, February 21). Retrieved February 22, 2021, from  https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/general-information/lgbtq
• Lauren Muhlheim, L., PsyD, CEDS. (2020, June 20). Eating Disorders in Transgender People. Retrieved February 22, 2021, from  https://www.verywellmind.com/eating-disorders-in-transgender-people-4582520
• Duffy, M. E., Henkel, K. E., & Earnshaw, V. A. (2016). Transgender Clients’ Experiences of Eating Disorder Treatment. Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, 10(3), 136-149.  https://doi.org/10.1080/15538605.2016.1177806
• Disabilities and Eating Disorders and Their Connection. (2020, September 04). Retrieved February 22, 2021, from  https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/blog/connection-disabilities-eating-disorders#:~:text=While%20there%20is%20little%20research,likely%20to%20develop%20eating%20disorders .
• Solmi, F., Bentivegna, F., Bould, H., Mandy, W., Kothari, R., Rai, D., . . . Lewis, G. (2020). Trajectories of autistic social traits in childhood and adolescence and Disordered eating behaviours at age 14 years: A UK general population cohort study.  The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry,  62(1), 75-85.  https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13255
• Greenblatt, J., MD. (2019, December 27). ADHD and Disordered Eating. Retrieved February 22, 2021, from  https://www.waldeneatingdisorders.com/blog/adhd-and-disordered-eating/
• People Living in Larger Bodies & Eating Disorders. (2017). Retrieved February 22, 2021, from  https://nedc.com.au/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-explained/people-living-in-larger-bodies-and-eating-disorders/
• Nagata, J. M., Garber, A. K., Tabler, J. L., Murray, S. B., & Bibbins-Domingo, K. (2018). Prevalence and Correlates of Disordered Eating Behaviors Among Young adults with Overweight or Obesity. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 33(8), 1337-1343.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-018-4465-z
• Flatt, R., Thornton, L., Fitzsimmons‐Craft, E., Balantekin, K., Smolar, L., Mysko, C., . . . Bulik, C. (2020, November 30). Comparing eating disorder characteristics and treatment in self‐identified competitive athletes and non‐athletes from the National Eating Disorders Association online screening tool. Retrieved February 22, 2021, from  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/eat.23415
• Mobbs, M. (2018, November 20). What’s Eating Our Veterans? Retrieved February 22, 2021, from  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-debrief/201811/whats-eating-our-veterans
• Collins, M., H.S.D., M.P.H. (1991). Body figure perceptions and preferences among preadolescent children.  International Journal of Eating Disorders,  10(2), 199-208.  https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-108X(199103)10:2%3C199::AID-EAT2260100209%3E3.0.CO;2-D
• McNutt, S. W., Hu, Y., Schreiber, G. B., Crawford, P. B., Obarzanek, E., & Mellin, L. (1997). A longitudinal study of the dietary practices of black and white girls 9 and 10 years old at enrollment: the NHLBI Growth and Health Study.  The Journal of Adolescent Health,   20 (1), 27–37.  https://doi.org/10.1016/S1054-139X(96)00176-0
• Gustafson-Larson, A. M., & Terry, R. D. (1992). Weight-related behaviors and concerns of fourth-grade children.  Journal of the American Dietetic Association ,  92 (7), 818–822.  https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1624650/
• Boutelle, K., Neumark-Sztainer, D., Story, M., & Resnick, M. (2002). Weight control behaviors among obese, overweight, and nonoverweight adolescents.  Journal of Pediatric Psychology ,  27 (6), 531–540.  https://doi.org/10.1093/jpepsy/27.6.531
• Noordenbos, G., Oldenhave, A., Muschter, J., & Terpstra, N. (2002). Characteristics and treatment of patients with chronic eating disorders.  Eating Disorders ,  10 (1), 15–29.  https://doi.org/10.1080/106402602753573531
• Flament, M., Henderson, K., Buchholz, A., Obeid, N., Nguyen, H., Birmingham, M., Goldfield, G. (2015). Weight Status and DSM-5 Diagnoses of Eating Disorders in Adolescents From the Community.  Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry,  Vol. 54, Issue 5, 403-411.  https://www.jaacap.org/article/S0890-8567(15)00076-3/fulltext#relatedArticles
• LGBTQ Youth and Body Dissatisfaction. (2023). Retrieved February 6, 2023 from  https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/lgbtq-youth-and-body-dissatisfaction-jan-2023/
• Behar, R, Arancibia, M, Sepulveda, E, Muga, A. (2016). Child Sexual Abuse as a Risk Factor in Eating Disorders. Eating Disorders: Prevalence, Risk Factors and Treatment Options.  Nova Science Publishers. 149-172. Retrieved April 4, 2023 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311899862_Child_sexual_abuse_as_a_risk_factor_in_eating_disorders

• Heather Haslem
• November 10, 2022
• Mental Health , Research Update

20 Important Statistics and the Latest Research on Eating Disorders

People of every age, race, size, gender identity, and sexual orientation experience eating disorders. According to National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), at least 10% of the population is struggling with an eating disorder, disordered eating, and/or body image. ANAD has compiled the latest stats on eating disorders. Below are 20 of their top statistics.

20 Eating Disorder Statistics by ANAD

1. Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to opioid overdose. Each year, there are approximately 10,200 deaths (1 death every 52 minutes) that are the direct result of an eating disorder.

2. Approximately, 26% of people with eating disorders attempt suicide.

3. The total estimated economic cost of eating disorders is $64.7 billion every year.

4. Less than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically diagnosed as “underweight.”

5. Larger body size is a risk factor for developing an eating disorder. In addition, a larger body size can be a common outcome for people who struggle with bulimia and binge eating disorder.

6. BIPOC are significantly less likely to have been asked by a doctor about eating disorder symptoms.

7. BIPOC with eating disorders are half as likely to be diagnosed or to receive treatment.

8. Gay men are seven times more likely to report binge-eating and twelve times more likely to report purging than heterosexual men.

9. Transgender college students report experiencing disordered eating at approximately four times the rate of their cisgender classmates.

10. Gender dysphoria and body dissatisfaction in transgender people is often cited as a key link to eating disorders.

11. Women with physical disabilities are more likely to develop eating disorders.

12. Athletes are more likely to screen positive for an eating disorder than non‐athletes, but percentages across all probable eating disorder diagnoses are similar.

13. Athletes may be less likely to seek treatment for an eating disorder due to stigma, accessibility, and sport‐specific barriers.

14. The most common type of eating disorders among military members is bulimia nervosa.

15. Body dysmorphic disorder affects 1-3% of the overall population but 13% of male military members and 21.7% of female military members.

16. A survey of 3,000 female military members found that the majority of respondents exhibited eating disorder symptoms.

17. 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner.

18. 81% of 10-year-old children are afraid of being fat.

19. 46% of 9–11-year-olds are “sometimes” or “very often” on diets.

20. In a college campus survey, 91% of the women admitted to controlling their weight through dieting.

The Latest Research Findings

Identifying changes in the brain to understand the root cause of eating disorders, and other mental health conditions.

To better understand the root cause of eating disorders, several studies are now looking to neuroscience to better understand what might be going on. As the field of neuroscience becomes prominent, we are learning more and more about the brain and what is different in people eating disorders. In a recent study conducted at the University of Cambridge, researchers found that the part of the brain that interprets physical signals (or cues) in the body (i.e., interoception) functions differently in those with mental health disorders, including those with eating disorders. One region of the brain that has been identified is the mid-insula and is responsible for how the brain interpretates physical sensations. For example, a person with anorexia may feel uncomfortably full, when they haven’t eaten very much. In a study with 1,236 participants (626 people diagnosed with either bipolar, anxiety, major depression, anorexia or schizophrenia, and 610 mentally healthy controls), the researchers found that people who had a mental health disorder had different brain activation when processing pain, hunger, and other interoceptive signals compared to the control group. Researchers are hopeful that identifying ways to support the processing of physical signals may be an important treatment modality for the future (University of Cambridge, 2021).

Brain Stimulation: A Possible New Treatment Modality

Binge eating disorder is considered to be one of the most common eating disorders that affects a few million people and is also associated with obesity. In a clinical trial conducted by the University of Pennsylvania (2022), a small device was implanted into two patients who experience binge eating disorder to detect food-craving in the brain region of the nucleus accumbens. When a craving was registered by the device, the device stimulated the brain region. After six months, the patients reported far fewer binge episodes, and lost weight. The researchers are currently recruiting for a larger study, in order to continue exploring the efficacy of these findings.

Debunking the Myth that Binge Eating is the Result of Stress

One prominent theory that is related to binge-eating is that it is a result of stress and causes individuals to experience difficulties with self-control. In a study conducted at the University of Cambridge (2021), they determined that contrary to this theory people with eating disorders did not lose self-control with regards to eating under stress. They were instead, surprised to find that participants (the control group and those with binge-eating disorders) showed differences in brain activity when they were under stress. More specifically, they found activity levels in two key brain regions were associated with the amount of calories consumed, which may suggest that these regions are important for dietary control. In addition, they found that women who experience bulimia seem to experience challenges when it comes to slowing down in responses to changes in their environment, which may lead to hasty decision making. Further research needs to be conducted in order to understand these findings.

Ready to Learn More About the Latest in Eating Disorders?

Register for this self-paced, online course from CASAT Learning , “Understanding Eating Disorders: Critical Components of Assessment and Treatment.”

Eating disorders have the second highest mortality rate of any mental illness and are unique among mental health disorders in that they manifest in physical, behavioral and mental health complications. Each can lead to serious and life-threatening illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, organ failure and even death if not treated. Anorexia Nervosa is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents. Young women who suffer from this illness have a mortality rate that is 12 times higher than average, making it the mental health illness with the highest premature mortality rate. If left untreated, eating disorders tend to become more severe and less receptive to treatment.  (Becker, Franko, Nussbaum, & Herzog, 2004; Fichter, Quadflieg, & Hedlund, 2006).

It is important to acknowledge that developing an eating disorder is not a conscious choice. Adolescents suffering from eating disorders often do not understand the severity of their illness and are thus reluctant to seek help or commit to the appropriate level of intensity of intervention. Their families and support systems may also be blinded to the condition and need for immediate treatment. To prevent chronic malnutrition, long-term health complications and death, it is critical to pursue early and intensive intervention strategies. Detecting and treating eating disorders as soon as possible saves lives. When considering the scope of the impact of eating disorders on a global scale, understanding a few important empirically based facts is critical:

Learning Objectives:

Following this training, participants will be able to:

• identify patterns of disordered eating
• assess for eating disorders -diagnose eating disorders
• make appropriate level of care recommendations for eating disorders
• understand basics of the ethical treatment of eating disorders

Presented by:

Kat Geiger, LCSW, CEDS-S, PMH-C

Continuing Education Units:

This learning event is approved for CEUs by the following professional organizations:

• National Association of Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC)
• International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC)
• Nevada Board of Examiners for Alcohol, Drug, & Gambling Counselors
• Nevada State Board of Nursing
• Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors
• State of Nevada Board of Examiners for Social Workers

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. (2022).  Eating disorder statistics: General & Diversity Stats . ANAD. Retrieved November 7, 2022, from

University of Cambridge. (2021, April 12). Stress does not lead to loss of self-control in eating disorders.  ScienceDaily . Retrieved November 7, 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/04/210412132951.htm

University of Cambridge. (2021, June 22). Study shows brain differences in interpreting physical signals in mental health disorders.  ScienceDaily . Retrieved November 7, 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210622091610.htm

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. (2022, August 29). Deep brain stimulation shows promise against binge eating disorder: Pilot study finds that implanted brain-stimulating device dramatically reduced bingeing episodes and helped patients lose weight.  ScienceDaily . Retrieved November 7, 2022 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/08/220829143924.htm

Blog Post Tags:

Related blog posts.

Movement is Medicine: A Look at Physical Activity and Mental Health

Xylazine: An Emerging Public Health Threat

Re-Think Drinking this July 4th

Anger Management Resources for Behavioral Health Providers

Related learning labs.

Healthy Aging

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

Enhancing Outcomes for Reluctant Clients with Challenging Issues

Related resources.

• Buscar Tratamiento de Calidad para Trastornos de uso de Sustancia (Finding Quality Treatment for Substance Use Disorders Spanish Version)
• Finding Quality Treatment for Substance Use Disorders
• Focus On Prevention: Strategies and Programs to Prevent Substance Use
• Monthly Variation in Substance Use Initiation Among Full-Time College Students
• The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Report: Monthly Variation in Substance Use Initiation Among Adolescents
• Anorexia nervosa , Bulimia , Eating Disorders

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Notify me of new CASAT OnDemand blog posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Eating Disorders
• Binge Eating
• Weight & Body Image
• Body Dysmorphia
• Compulsive Eating
• Addictions & Eating Disorders
• Night Eating Syndrome
• Eating Disorders In Athletes
• Atypical Anorexia
• Long-Term Effects On Health
• At Risk Groups
• Virtual Treatment
• Treatment Types
• Therapy Techniques
• Help for Anorexia
• Treating Bulimia
• Recovery for Binge Eating 
• Weight Management & Obesity
• Co-Occurring Disorders
• Family Based Therapy
• Guide to Nutrition Counseling
• Helping a Loved One
• Eating Disorder Hotlines
• Online Eating Disorder Treatment Programs
• Therapists Directory
• Eating Disorder Support Groups
• International Treatment Help
• College Students
• Timberline Knolls Residential Treatment Center
• Within Health | Remote Care
• Eating Disorder Solutions
• Find a Therapist
• Research & Studies
• Eating Disorder Self Help & Tips
• Family Involvement
• Stories of Hope
• Calls to this hotline are currently being directed to Within Health or Timberline Knolls
• Representatives are standing by 24/7 to help answer your questions
• All calls are confidential and HIPAA compliant
• There is no obligation or cost to call
• Eating Disorder Hope does not receive any commissions or fees dependent upon which provider you select
• Additional treatment providers are located on our directory or samhsa.gov

Eating Disorder Statistics: What the Numbers Reveal

Eating disorders are a group of complex mental health conditions that involve disturbances in eating behaviors, body image, and self-esteem. They include anorexia nervosa, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), binge-eating disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, bulimia nervosa, emotional eating, and laxative abuse.

Eating disorders often begin during adolescence, highlighting the importance of early detection and intervention. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), up to 57% of adolescent girls engage in unhealthy behaviors such as dieting, laxative and diet pill abuse, and self-induced vomiting [1]. The teenage years are a period of significant physical and emotional changes, societal pressures, and the desire to fit in, all of which can contribute to unhealthy relationships with food and body image.

It is crucial to recognize that eating disorders can affect people of all ages, not just young adults. One study shows that approximately 1 in 7 men and 1 in 5 women experience symptoms of an eating disorder before age 40 [2]. Additionally, research in collaboration with the Academy for Eating Disorders reveals that 9% of the U.S. population, or 28.8 million people, will develop an eating disorder in their lifetime [3].

Health Risks of Eating Disorders

Untreated eating disorders can lead to many negative health effects, including malnutrition, electrolyte imbalances, cardiac abnormalities, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and impaired immune function. Sadly, eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illnesses, resulting in more than 10,000 deaths each year, with one person dying every 62 minutes [1].

Statistics reported by the JAMA Network highlight the following concerning mortality and long-term health effects of eating disorders:

• Only 46% of people who have anorexia nervosa achieve full recovery, and 20% face lifelong health challenges and remain chronically ill due to the disorder.
• Up to 50% of people who have anorexia nervosa will develop bulimia nervosa over time.
• 1 in 5 people who pass away from anorexia nervosa die by suicide.
• Research suggests that individuals who are hospitalized for an eating disorder at a younger age may have a better chance of achieving lasting positive health outcomes. The presence of co-occurring mental health conditions and advancing age may worsen the prognosis for these patients [4].

The impact of eating disorders on a person’s health can be severe and life-threatening. Therefore, it is essential to seek early intervention and comprehensive treatment that addresses the physical and psychological aspects of the disorder.

advertisement

Call McCallum Place for Help 888-484-9414

Media & eating disorder development.

The media significantly promotes unrealistic and idealized body images, often affecting how people perceive their bodies. According to ANAD, 80% of women feel dissatisfied with their bodies by age 18 [1]. Both men and women may feel pressured to conform to societal standards, which can lead to the development of disordered eating patterns. This can create a cycle of low self-esteem and negative body image.

The National Eating Disorders Association reports the following statistics on the media’s impact on eating disorder development:

• Feelings of dissatisfaction with one’s body significantly contribute to the development of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
• By the age of 6, young girls begin expressing worries about their weight or body shape.
• 40%-60% of girls in elementary school are concerned about their weight or the possibility of becoming overweight.
• 69% of American elementary school girls who read magazines state that the pictures impact their perception of an ideal body shape, and 47% express that these images make them want to lose weight [5].

It is essential to acknowledge and confront harmful cultural standards and beliefs that promote the development of eating disorders. Promoting body acceptance, diversity, and a balanced approach to food and exercise can positively impact someone’s mental health and well-being.

Co-Occurring Mental Health Disorders

Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Data gathered by the National Institute of Mental Health indicates that 56.2% of people who have anorexia nervosa, 94.5% of people who have bulimia nervosa, and 78.9% of people who have binge-eating disorder meet the criteria for at least one mental health disorder [6].

Sometimes, people develop an eating disorder to cope with symptoms of an underlying mental health condition. For example, someone who has depression may restrict or binge eat to regulate their emotions or regain a sense of control. Disordered eating patterns can also worsen mental health disorder symptoms, making it difficult for people to find peace.

A study published in the Journal of Eating Disorders provides the following statistics about co-occurring mental health conditions:

• 84.5% of people who have bulimia nervosa suffer from high levels of social anxiety.
• More than 50% of adolescents who have disordered eating behaviors also suffer from major depressive disorder.
• Anywhere from 16.1%-31.6% of people who have eating disorders also have posttraumatic stress disorder.
• People who have eating disorders are significantly more likely to feel heightened anxiety and body dissatisfaction and have an increased risk for suicide [7].

An eating disorder can severely impact someone’s mental and emotional well-being. People who have an eating disorder may struggle with low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and distorted body image, perpetuating a cycle of disordered eating and negative emotions.

Eating Disorder Prevention & Treatment

Eating disorders affect people of all ages, races, genders, and sexual orientations. Despite the severity of these disorders, many people do not seek treatment due to financial constraints, limited insurance coverage, stigma, and a lack of specialized resources in certain areas.

By raising awareness, advocating for accessible treatment options, and promoting body acceptance, we can work toward creating a society that values mental health treatment and empowers people to seek help without judgment. Together, we can challenge the stigma surrounding eating disorders and promote a healthier and more compassionate world.

About The Sponsor

The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective on eating disorders. These are not necessarily the views of Eating Disorder Hope, but an effort to offer a discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.

We at Eating Disorder Hope understand that eating disorders result from a combination of environmental and genetic factors. If you or a loved one are suffering from an eating disorder, please know that there is hope for you, and  seek immediate professional help .

Published July 17, 2023 on EatingDisorderHope.com

Upcoming Events

Continuing education with accanto health, the 33rd annual renfrew center foundation conference for professionals, aed iced 2024, do you have a loved one battling an eating disorder and would like a better understanding of this disease, our newsletter offers current eating disorder recovery resources and information. join today.

MEDICAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER: The service, and any information contained on the website or provided through the service, is provided for informational purposes only. The information contained on or provided through this service is intended for general consumer understanding and education and not as a substitute for medical or psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All information provided on the website is presented as is without any warranty of any kind, and expressly excludes any warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose .

Transforming the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.

Información en español

Celebrating 75 Years! Learn More >>

• Health Topics
• Brochures and Fact Sheets
• Help for Mental Illnesses
• Clinical Trials

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious and sometimes fatal illnesses that cause severe disturbances to a person’s eating behaviors. Obsessions with food, body weight, and shape may also signal an eating disorder. Common eating disorders include binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and, less common but very serious, anorexia nervosa.

Additional information about eating disorders can be found on the NIMH Health Topics page on Eating Disorders .

Definitions

Binge eating disorder.

• Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent binge eating episodes during which a person feels a loss of control and marked distress over his or her eating. Unlike bulimia nervosa, binge eating episodes are not followed by purging, excessive exercise or fasting. As a result, people with binge eating disorder often are overweight or obese.

Bulimia Nervosa

• Bulimia nervosa is characterized by binge eating (eating large amounts of food in a short time, along with the sense of a loss of control) followed by a type of behavior that compensates for the binge, such as purging (e.g., vomiting, excessive use of laxatives, or diuretics), fasting, and/or excessive exercise. Unlike anorexia nervosa, people with bulimia can fall within the normal range for their weight. But like people with anorexia, they often fear gaining weight, want desperately to lose weight, and are intensely unhappy with their body size and shape.

Anorexia Nervosa

• Anorexia nervosa is characterized by a significant and persistent reduction in food intake leading to extremely low body weight in the context of age, sex, and physical health; a relentless pursuit of thinness; a distortion of body image and intense fear of gaining weight; and extremely disturbed eating behavior. Many people with anorexia see themselves as overweight, even when they are starved or severely malnourished.

Age of Onset

Based on diagnostic interview data from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), median age of onset was 21 years-old for binge eating disorder and 18 years-old for both bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa. 1

Prevalence of Eating Disorders in Adults

Based on diagnostic interview data from the NCS-R, the data below indicate the past year prevalence of each type of eating disorder among U.S. adults aged 18 and older. 1

• The overall prevalence of binge eating disorder was 1.2%.
• Prevalence of binge eating disorder was twice as high among females (1.6%) than males (0.8%).
• Based on Sheehan Disability Scale associated with past year behavior, 62.6% of people with binge eating disorder had any impairment and 18.5% had severe impairment.
• The lifetime prevalence of binge eating disorder was 2.8%.
• The overall prevalence of bulimia nervosa was 0.3%.
• Prevalence of bulimia nervosa was five times higher among females (0.5%) than males (0.1%).
• Based on Sheehan Disability Scale* associated with past year behavior, 78.0% of people with bulimia nervosa had any impairment and 43.9% had severe impairment.
• The lifetime prevalence of bulimia nervosa was 1.0%.
• The lifetime prevalence of anorexia nervosa in adults was 0.6%.
• Lifetime prevalence of anorexia nervosa was three times higher among females (0.9%) than males (0.3%).
• A past year prevalence estimate for anorexia nervosa was not generated in the NCS-R sample of respondents. 1

Co-morbidity with Other Mental Disorders in Adults

• More than half (56.2%) of respondents with anorexia nervosa, 94.5% with bulimia nervosa, and 78.9% with binge eating disorder met criteria for at least one of the core DSM-IV disorders assessed in the NCS-R.
• All three eating disorders had the highest comorbidity with any anxiety disorder.
• Download PNG image
• Download PDF document

Treatment of Eating Disorders in Adults

• Approximately one-third (33.8%) of respondents with anorexia nervosa, 43.2% with bulimia nervosa, and 43.6% with binge eating disorder sought treatment specifically for their eating disorder.
• Females with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder sought treatment more than males. However, males with anorexia nervosa sought treatment more often than females.
• A majority of respondents with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder (50.0%–63.2%) received treatment for emotional problems at some time in their lives (data not shown).

Prevalence of Eating Disorders in Adolescents

• The lifetime prevalence of eating disorders was 2.7%.
• Eating disorders were more than twice as prevalent among females (3.8%) than males (1.5%).
• Prevalence increased modestly with age.
• In the NCS-A, eating disorders included anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.

Data Sources

• Hudson JI, Hiripi E, Pope HG Jr, Kessler RC. The prevalence and correlates of eating disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Biol Psychiatry. 2007 Feb 1;61(3):348-58. PMID: 16815322 
• Merikangas KR, He JP, Burstein M, Swanson SA, Avenevoli S, Cui L, Benjet C, Georgiades K, Swendsen J. Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in U.S. adolescents: results from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication--Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2010 Oct;49(10):980-9. PMID: 20855043 

Statistical Methods and Measurement Caveats

This webpage presents data from the following sources.

National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R)

Diagnostic Assessment and Population:

• The NCS-R is a nationally representative, face-to-face, household survey conducted between February 2001 and April 2003 with a response rate of 70.9%. DSM-IV mental disorders were assessed using a modified version of the fully structured World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI), a fully structured lay-administered diagnostic interview that generates both International Classification of Diseases, 10 th Revision, and DSM-IV diagnoses. The DSM-IV criteria were used here. Participants for the main interview totaled 9,282 English-speaking, non-institutionalized, civilian respondents. Eating disorders were assessed in a subsample of 2,980 respondents. The Sheehan Disability Scales (SDS) assessed disability in work role performance, household maintenance, social life, and intimate relationships on 0–10 scales. The NCS-R was led by Harvard University.

Survey Non-response:

• In 2001-2002, non-response was 29.1% of primary respondents and 19.6% of secondary respondents. Reasons for non-response to interviewing include: refusal to participate (7.3% of primary, 6.3% of secondary); respondent was reluctant- too busy but did not refuse (17.7% of primary, 11.6% of secondary); circumstantial, such as intellectual developmental disability or overseas work assignment (2.0% of primary, 1.7% of secondary); and household units that were never contacted (2.0%).
• For more information, see PMID: 15297905  .

National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A)

• The NCS-A was carried out under a cooperative agreement sponsored by NIMH to meet a request from Congress to provide national data on the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among U.S. youth. The NCS-A was a nationally representative, face-to-face survey of 10,123 adolescents aged 13 to 18 years in the continental United States. The survey was based on a dual-frame design that included 904 adolescent residents of the households that participated in the adult U.S. National Comorbidity Survey Replication and 9,244 adolescent students selected from a nationally representative sample of 320 schools. The survey was fielded between February 2001 and January 2004. DSM-IV mental disorders were assessed using a modified version of the fully structured World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview.
• The overall adolescent non-response rate was 24.4%. This is made up of non-response rates of 14.1% in the household sample, 18.2% in the un-blinded school sample, and 77.7% in the blinded school sample. Non-response was largely due to refusal (21.3%), which in the household and un-blinded school samples came largely from parents rather than adolescents (72.3% and 81.0%, respectively). The refusals in the blinded school sample, in comparison, came almost entirely (98.1%) from parents failing to return the signed consent postcard.
• For more information, see PMID: 19507169  .

Anorexia Statistics – Gender, Race & Socioeconomics 

An estimated 30 million people in the United States have had an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. This equates to about 20 million women and 10 million men.

Further Reading

Anorexia Stats About Men and Boys Calling a Hotline for Help The Underlying Causes of Anorexia Am I Anorexic? Symptoms of AN Mortality Rates of Anorexia

Eating disorders impact around 9% of the global population. They result in more than 10,000 deaths in the U.S. every year, representing one of the deadliest mental illnesses. Anorexia can impact people of every gender identity, race, and socioeconomic status. It is one of the most common eating disorders involving food and calorie restriction, fear of gaining weight, and distorted body image.

Gender Statistics on Anorexia

Anorexia is a mental health disorder that can impact anyone at any age. Men, women, and people of any gender identity can develop anorexia. 

Anorexia is more common in women than men. As a result, it is often stigmatized, overlooked, and underdiagnosed in men. Anorexia is likely very underreported in men. 

Women with anorexia regularly restrict calories and food intake in an attempt to look very thin. They will still believe they are “fat” regardless of how much weight they lose. 

Men can also have restrictive diets and deprive themselves of the necessary nutrition to maintain a healthy weight, but they are more likely to exercise excessively and take steroids and/or supplements to achieve their version of a “masculine” lean and muscular body type.

• Women have anorexia at rates three times higher than males : 0.9% of the population versus 0.3% of the population.
• An estimated 0.5% to 3.7% of women will develop anorexia at some point in their lifetime.
• Around 10 million men in the United States will develop an eating disorder within their lifetime.
• Men make up approximately 20% of all people with anorexia.

Anorexia also affects the LGBTQ+ population. Gender dysmorphia and body dissatisfaction are often contributing factors to the onset of an eating disorder. 

Nearly a third of transgender people with an eating disorder report using the disorder to modify their bodies without the use of hormones. 

Adult and adolescent LGBT individuals experience disordered eating and eating disorders at higher rates than their heterosexual or cisgender peers.

Race Statistics & Anorexia

Just as anorexia can impact people of different gender and sexual orientations, it can also affect people across different races and ethnicities. 

While previous studies have shown a higher prevalence in white females than women of color, recent research has shown that there are likely similar risk factors and prevalence of an eating disorder across these racial and ethnic lines. Ethnic minorities are then just as likely to develop an eating disorder as white individuals are. 

Asian American women often have lower body weights and a higher thin-ideal internalization. Exposure to Western media has likely elevated the risk for disordered eating and body image, which can increase the rate of potential eating disorders in this group. 

In contrast, African American women tend to have higher BMIs and a lower thin-ideal internalization, which can then be a protective factor for developing an eating disorder. It is also important to note that a higher BMI with an eating disorder can elevate the mortality risk for the disorder.

Socioeconomic Statistics on Eating Disorders

It has been falsely believed that eating disorders like anorexia are mainly limited to white upper-class women. Research has challenged this belief, showing that people across all socioeconomic statuses are equally prone to developing an eating disorder. 

Historical studies that reported a higher prevalence of anorexia in those with higher socioeconomic status have been shown to be too narrow and not indicative of the entire picture. 

Low-income populations also have eating disorders and risk factors that can lead to anorexia. Anorexia can impact people of all socioeconomic levels.

Other At-Risk Groups

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to the onset of anorexia that can put some populations and people at a higher risk for developing the eating disorder. Statistics on at-risk groups are as follows:

• Athletes: Studies have shown that more than a third of female NCAA Division I athletes exhibit symptoms and attitudes that place them at risk for anorexia. Many sports (especially individual sports such as gymnastics, swimming, wrestling, track and field, bodybuilding, diving, and dancing) put a lot of emphasis on a specific body type or weight, which can increase the risk of an eating disorder to achieve that ideal body type. Studies show that 35% of female college athletes and 10% of males have an elevated risk for anorexia.
• People with autism: Around 20% of people with autism also have anorexia . Autism can elevate the risk for anorexia since people with autism often already exhibit restrictive eating patterns, have a desire to exhibit some sense of control, and often want to fit an ideal body image to “fit in” with peers.
• Teens: Young females are at the highest risk, and anorexia often begins in adolescence. The vast majority ( 95% ) of people with an eating disorder are between the ages of 12 and 25. About 1 out of every 100 young women between the ages of 10 and 20 have anorexia.
• People with co-occurring mental illnesses: Anorexia commonly co-occurs with other mental health conditions. Studies have shown that in people with anorexia, there is also a lifetime prevalence of substance abuse (12%–21%), anxiety disorders (20%–60%), and depression (15%–60%)
• Eating Disorder Statistics . (February 2020). U.S. News & World Report .
• Eating Disorder Statistics . (2021). National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD).
• Eating Disorders . (n/a). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). 
• Eating Disorder Statistics . (October 2020). GenPsych .
• Eating Disorders in Men & Boys . (2022). National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).
• Eating Disorders in Males . (November 2021). National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC).
• Parker LL. (2020). Eating Disorder and Disordered Eating Behaviors in the LGBT Population: A Review of the Literature . Journal of Eating Disorders , 8 (51).
• Cheng ZH, Perko VL, Fuller-Marashi L, Gau JM, Stice E. (2019). Ethnic Differences in Eating Disorder Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Predictive Effects of Risk Factors Among Young Women . Eating Behaviors , 32:23-30.
• Mulders-Jones B, Mitchison D, Girosi F, Hay P. (2017). Socioeconomic Correlates of Eating Disorder Symptoms in An Australian Population-Based Sample . PLOS ONE , 12 (1). 
• Huryk KM, Drury CR, Loeb KL. (2021). Diseases of Affluence? A Systematic Review of the Literature on Socioeconomic Diversity in Eating Disorders . Eating Behaviors , 43 .
• Eating Disorders & Athletes . (2022). National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA).
• Anorexia’s Link to Autism, Explained . (December 2020). Spectrum News .
• Eating Disorder Facts . (2021). Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
• Statistics: How Many People Have Eating Disorders? Anorexia Nervosa & Associated Eating Disorders (ANRED).
• What Is the Prevalence of Psychiatric Comorbidities with Anorexia Nervosa? (June 2019). Medscape .

Last Update | 09 - 22 - 2022

Medical Disclaimer

Any information provided on the bulimia.com is for educational purposes only. The information on this site should not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with a medical professional if you are seeking medical advice, a diagnosis or any treatment solutions. Bulimia.com is not liable for any issues associated with acting upon any information on this site.

Calls to this number are answered by Within Health, a virtual eating disorder treatment provider. There is no obligation or cost to call this number and all calls are private and confidential.

Additional eating disorder treatment providers can be found at  samhsa.gov .