Food plays a different role in each of our lives. For some, it brings comfort, joy, and nourishment. For others, it can be a source of stress and struggle. Eating disorders are severe mental health issues that deeply affect a person’s connection with food and how they see their body. Those suffering often become consumed with thoughts about food, their weight, or their body shape, leading to harmful behaviors around eating.

These disorders don’t discriminate—eating disorders affect people from all walks of life, regardless of gender, age, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or body type. Yet, much of the research hasn’t fully captured this diversity.

Eating disorders can significantly impact a person’s physical and mental health, and in some cases, they can be life-threatening. However, with appropriate treatment, people can recover completely from eating disorders.

In this article, we’ll share some of the latest statistics on eating disorders to shed light on how widespread and impactful these conditions truly are.

Eating Disorder Statistics

• The overall lifetime prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) was estimated to be 8.60% among females and 4.07% among males. Overall, it was estimated that in 2018-19, 14.4 million women and 6.6 million men had experienced an eating disorder at some point in their lives. (1)

• It was estimated that around 28.8 million Americans alive in 2018-19 will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime, whether in the past, present, or future, of this population, around 20.8 million are expected to be female and 8 million male, highlighting a significant gender disparity in the prevalence of eating disorders. (1)
• In 2018-19, the overall one-year prevalence of eating disorders in the US was estimated to be 1.66% (5.48 million cases). The prevalence was higher in females at 2.62% (4.39 million cases) compared to males at 0.67% (1.09 million cases). (1)
• Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, both eating disorders related to body image issues, affect around 1.6% of U.S. adults and 2% of U.S. adolescents. There’s a strong emphasis on staying thin and fit in society, especially for women. (2)

Anorexia Statistics

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a condition where people avoid food, eat very little, or only eat certain foods. They might also weigh themselves a lot. Even when very underweight, they may think they are overweight. Anorexia nervosa can be fatal and has one of the highest death rates among mental disorders.

• The one-year prevalence rates for anorexia nervosa are 0.16% among females and 0.09% among males. Research indicates that anorexia risk can be influenced by a mix of factors, including genetic, biological, behavioral, psychological, and social elements. (1)
• The lifetime prevalence of AN among females was estimated at 0.81% and 0.12% among males. Anorexia often begins during the teen years, but it can also develop in childhood or later in life, even at age 40 or older. The number of young women aged 15 to 19 diagnosed with anorexia has increased every decade since 1930. (1)
• Mortality rates for people with AN are 5.86 times higher than the general population. People with anorexia face serious risks of dying from medical issues related to starvation. Suicide is the second most common cause of death among those diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. (1)

Bulimia Statistics

Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a condition where people frequently have episodes of eating large amounts of food and feel unable to control these binges. After binge eating, they may try to compensate by vomiting, using laxatives or diuretics excessively, fasting, exercising too much, or a combination of these behaviors. People with bulimia nervosa can be underweight, normal weight, or overweight.

• The annual prevalence of bulimia nervosa stands at 0.32% for females and 0.05% for males. People with bulimia are more likely to come from families with a history of eating disorders, physical illnesses, and other mental health problems. (1)
• The lifetime prevalence of BN among females was estimated at 1.26% and 0.12% among males​. People with bulimia often keep it very private and hidden. Many do not seek help until they are between the ages of 30 and 50. By then, their eating behaviors are deeply ingrained and harder to change. (1)
• Mortality rates for people with BN are 1.93 times higher than the general population. People with bulimia often have other illnesses as well, such as substance abuse, anxiety disorders, and mood disorders. (1)

Binge Eating Disorder Statistics

Binge-eating disorder is a condition where individuals lose control over their eating and repeatedly consume unusually large amounts of food. Unlike bulimia nervosa, binge-eating episodes are not followed by purging, excessive exercise, or fasting. Consequently, people with binge-eating disorder often become overweight or obese.

• The one-year prevalence of binge eating disorder is 0.96% for females and 0.26% for males. Men and women of any age can develop binge-eating disorder, but it often begins in their 20s or older. (1)
• The one-year prevalence of binge eating disorder (BED) in the US was estimated at 1.01% for females. The causes of binge-eating disorder are not entirely understood. However, certain factors increase the risk, including specific genes, how your body functions, long-term dieting, and the presence of other mental health conditions. (1)

Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Statistics

ARFID, or Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, is a serious eating disorder where individuals avoid or restrict food. This is not due to concerns about body image but rather anxiety or phobia related to food and eating, heightened sensitivity to sensory aspects of food such as texture, taste, or smell, or a lack of interest in food/eating due to low appetite.

• ARFID symptoms were identified in 23.6% of patients, with 6.3% having a definite diagnosis of ARFID and 17.3% showing potential ARFID symptoms. Despite experiencing the eating disorder symptoms for over 1.5 years, only one patient was diagnosed with ARFID by their gastroenterologist. (3)

• 93% of patients with ARFID reported being afraid of gastrointestinal symptoms – most commonly nausea, bloating, generalized abdominal pain/discomfort, or vomiting. (3)

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) Statistics

A person with OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder) does not meet the criteria for another specific eating disorder but shows many symptoms of them. OSFED is just as serious and can lead to medical and psychiatric complications. It is a severe, complex, and potentially life-threatening mental illness that can affect adults, adolescents, and children.

• Over a person’s lifetime, OSFED is the most common eating disorder, with a prevalence of 3.82% among females and 1.61% among males. (1)
• The most prevalent eating disorder is OSFED with rates of 1.18% for females and 0.27% for males. The prevalence of OSFED was highest among the 20 to 29-year age group for both males and females. (1)

Demographic-Specific Statistics

Men and Eating Disorders

• Studies suggest that males with eating disorders face a mortality risk 6 to 8 times higher than those without these disorders. Additionally, the rates of eating disorders in males are increasing faster than in females, highlighting the critical need for early intervention. (17)
• In a study of 14,891 participants, 22% of males and 5% of females reported muscularity-oriented disordered eating. (18)

Eating Disorders in Pregnant Women:

• Around 1 in 20 pregnant women are at risk for eating disorders during pregnancy. This can have negative consequences for both mothers and their babies, such as increased chances of cesarean sections, miscarriages, and premature births. (8)
• During pregnancy, 2% of women are concerned about their weight. Additionally, 17.3% experienced episodes of binge eating. Anxiety and depression were also common symptoms of eating disorders during pregnancy. (8)
• Around 15% of pregnant women likely had an eating disorder before; about 5% experienced one during pregnancy. Although symptoms often decrease during pregnancy, this remission is usually temporary, with symptoms typically resurfacing in the postnatal period. (9)

LGBTQ Youth Eating Disorder Statistics:

Overall, 9% of LGBTQ youth aged 13–24 reported being diagnosed with an eating disorder, while an additional 29% suspected they might have one despite not having a diagnosis. A review of disordered eating among transgender individuals found that body dissatisfaction is a common stressor, putting some transgender individuals at a higher risk for developing disordered eating. (10)

BIPOC Statistics

BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, representing a diverse array of cultures, races, and ethnicities. BIPOC individuals are just as likely to develop an eating disorder as white individuals, but they are half as likely to be diagnosed or receive treatment. Unique risk factors for BIPOC individuals developing an eating disorder include racism, xenophobia, microaggressions, Eurocentric beauty standards, and a sense of not belonging, all of which can contribute to the onset of an eating disorder.

• Black teenagers are 50% more likely to show bulimic behaviors than white teens; Hispanic individuals also face higher bulimia rates. (4)
• Black women are 25% to 45% less likely to receive an eating disorder diagnosis. In some cases, medical professionals may not screen people of color for eating disorders, even when symptoms are clearly present. (5)

Eating Disorder in Athletes

Rates of Eating Disorders Among College Students

• Among white college students, 39.3% have anorexia nervosa, 50% have bulimia nervosa, and 29% experience binge eating disorder. (5)
• Among Black college students, 41% have anorexia nervosa, 42.4% have bulimia nervosa, and 24% experience binge eating disorder. (5)
• Among Asian college students, 41% have anorexia nervosa, 57.8% have bulimia nervosa, and 23.2% experience binge eating disorder. (5)
• Among Hispanic college students, 45.8% have anorexia nervosa, 45.2% have bulimia nervosa, and 21% experience binge eating disorder. (5)

Racial and Ethnic Disparities

• Racial or ethnic discrimination was linked to three times higher odds of having Binge Eating Disorder (BED). (16)
• Youth of color receive recommended treatment at rates less than two-thirds compared to those of White youth. According to this study, Latinx and Asian patients are half as likely to receive appropriate eating disorder treatment compared to White youth. (16)

Impact and Mortality

• In 2018-19, the economic impact of EDs in the USA was estimated at $64.7 billion, averaging $11,808 per individual diagnosed with an ED. (1)
• It was estimated that roughly 10,200 deaths in the USA, with estimates ranging from 5,500 to 22,000, were linked to eating disorders. Evidence shows that eating disorders are linked to a significantly higher risk of early death. (1)
• Annually, eating disorders account for the loss of over 3.3 million healthy life years globally. They reduce the years lived without disability, lower the individual’s quality of life, and increase economic costs for both patients and their caregivers.Key Risk Factors for Eating Disorders

Key Risk Factors for Eating Disorders

• Up to 23% of those with Binge Eating Disorder (BED) attempted suicide. 94% reported mental health symptoms: 70% mood, 68% substance use, 59% anxiety, 49% borderline personality, and 32% PTSD. (11)
• Nearly half (49.3%) of patients in U.S. residential facilities for eating disorders showed symptoms consistent with a PTSD diagnosis. (12)
• Students with eating disorders were 7.43 times more likely to receive a diagnosis of substance use disorder. This study highlights the importance of addressing substance use behavior in eating disorder treatment. (13)
• Food insecurity increases the odds of BED or subclinical BED by 1.67 and binge eating symptoms by 1.31 in early adolescence. (14)
• Obesity patients are 2.45 times more likely to exhibit disordered eating but are diagnosed half as often as normal or underweight individuals. (15)

Trends in Eating Disorders 

• The risk of eating disorders rose by 13 percentage points between 2013 and 2020/2021. The median age of onset for eating disorders is between 18 and 21 years old. (19)
• 43.8% of individuals with an eating disorder diagnosis and 24.9% of those without reported experiencing multiple traumatic events. Sexual assault, child abuse, and combat have been linked to eating disorders. (20)

Final Thought

Eating disorders are a significant public health issue, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. According to the National Eating Disorders Association and various studies published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, the prevalence of these disorders spans across all demographics, with people of all ages, genders, and ethnicities being vulnerable. Despite the high rates of eating disorders, many individuals, especially those from BIPOC communities, often go undiagnosed or untreated due to biases and a lack of awareness.

Research published in other eating disorder research journals highlights the urgent need for comprehensive clinical nutrition programs and effective interventions. People with eating disorders often engage in unhealthy weight control behaviors, which can lead to severe health complications. By understanding general eating disorder statistics and promoting awareness, we can better support eating disorder patients and reduce the stigma associated with these conditions. Raising awareness and encouraging early intervention can help save lives and improve outcomes for those struggling with these debilitating disorders.