Eating Disorder Statistics and Facts

Introduction

Eating Disorder Statistics: Eating disorders are intricate mental health disorders that can impact individuals of any age, background, or gender. They are typically characterized by significant disruptions in eating habits, along with distressing thoughts and emotions related to food and body image.

Statistical analysis is essential for understanding these disorders’ prevalence, demographic trends, and risk factors. By reviewing current data, we can better grasp the extent of the problem, pinpoint at-risk groups, and strengthen initiatives for prevention, early detection, and effective treatment.

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• Eating disorders are more common in women, with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa having a significantly higher lifetime prevalence in females compared to males.
• Around 9% of the global population is affected by eating disorders, underscoring the widespread impact of these conditions and the urgent need for enhanced awareness and accessible treatment.
• About 95% of individuals with anorexia nervosa are between the ages of 12 and 25, emphasizing that eating disorders largely affect adolescents and young adults during crucial developmental stages.
• 35% of those with bulimia nervosa engage in self-harming behaviors, reflecting the deep psychological toll that this disorder can take on individuals.

Global Virtual Eating Disorder Treatment Market Size

• As per Market.us, the global virtual eating disorders treatment market is projected to grow from $1,002.5 billion in 2025 to $2,072.0 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2033.
• The wearable virtual eating disorder treatment market is growing rapidly due to rising cases of eating and mental health disorders, neurochemical changes, and psychological stress.
• Binge Eating Disorder (BED) leads the market with a 32.8% share, reflecting the high prevalence and demand for convenient virtual treatment solutions.
• Outpatient virtual sessions hold a 39.5% market share, indicating a strong preference for flexible, home-based therapeutic care.
• Clinics dominate distribution with a 41.1% market share, highlighting their crucial role in delivering virtual, multidisciplinary treatment programs.
• North America leads the market with a 42.7% share, driven by strong telehealth infrastructure and heightened mental health awareness.

(Source: Market.us)

Types of Eating Disorders

• Bulimia nervosa
• Anorexia nervosa
• Avoidant or restrictive food intake disorder
• Binge eating disorder
• Pica
• Rumination
• Other specified feeding and eating disorders:
  • Night eating syndrome
  • Purging disorder
  • Subthreshold bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder
  • Atypical anorexia nervosa
  • Orthorexia
• Unspecified feeding and eating disorders

(Source: National Institute of Health)

General Eating Disorder Statistics

• In 2024, around 28.8 million Americans were estimated to have experienced an eating disorder, highlighting the urgent need for better mental health support.
• In 2022, approximately 2.7 million people in Canada were affected by eating disorders, including 1.4 million youth, emphasizing the importance of early intervention.
• Europe reported 20 million cases, with 3 million in Italy alone in 2021, reflecting widespread sociocultural pressures.
• In Switzerland, 3.5% of the population is expected to face eating disorders, consistent with rates in other developed countries.
• In the U.K., Eating disorders (EDs) affected 1.25 million people in 2022.
• Research by India’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) revealed a 2.4% prevalence rate of eating disorders in the general population, pointing to rising concerns in youth. I
• In Australia, 10.46% of the population, about 2.75 million people, had experienced eating disorders, reinforcing the need for accessible, long-term care and awareness programs, reinforcing the need for accessible, long-term care and awareness programs.

(Source: National Institute of Health, UNICEF Canada, European Parliament, University Hospital Zürich, Eating Disorders Victoria, MGM Healthcare)

Demographics of Eating Disorder Statistics

By Age

• In the U.S., about 95% of eating disorder cases occur in individuals aged 12 to 25.
• A study on 14 and 15-year-old teens found that dieting was the primary predictor of developing eating disorders.
• Eating disorders are the third most common chronic health condition among adolescent girls.

By Gender

• Globally, the prevalence of eating disorders is 3% among young women, with men making up 1.5%.
• 56% of transgender people with eating disorders believe their condition is unrelated to their physical appearance.
• Transgender people are 3 times more likely to develop an eating disorder than women.

By Race

• In the U.S., African Americans, Indigenous peoples, and other people of color are 3 times less likely to develop eating disorders or exhibit symptoms typically associated with them.
• African Americans are less likely to be diagnosed with anorexia compared to white Americans, although they may experience similar symptoms for longer periods.
• Black individuals with eating disorders are 50% less likely to receive an accurate diagnosis or proper treatment.
• Hispanic individuals have a 60% higher likelihood of developing bulimia or showing bulimic symptoms compared to the non-Hispanic population.
• Black adolescents are 50% more likely than white teens to display bulimic behaviors, such as binge eating and purging, which are characteristic symptoms of bulimia.
• Asian American college students report higher levels of body anxiety and greater concerns about becoming overweight, with over 50% expressing more dissatisfaction compared to other nonwhite groups.

(Source: Cross River Therapy)

Most Common Eating Disorders

• Genetic factors account for 28% to 74% of the risk of developing eating disorders.
• Approximately 70 million individuals around the world suffer from eating disorders.
• More than 28% of individuals with eating disorders have a history of sexual abuse.
• Less than 6% of individuals globally are officially diagnosed with an eating disorder.
• Each year, eating disorders contribute to over 10,200 deaths worldwide.
• Eating disorders rank as the third most prevalent chronic illness among adolescents.
• Eating disorders are more common in women and girls than in men and boys.
• Above 10% of young women struggle with eating disorders.

(Source: National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, Tides Mental Health, America Society for Nutrition, National Institute of Health)

Anorexia Nervosa Eating Disorder Cases

Anorexia nervosa is a severe eating illness that impacts women and men, though it is more prevalent among women. This disorder is marked by a distorted body image, an overwhelming fear of weight gain, and a consistent restriction of food intake, resulting in significant weight loss.

People with anorexia often have a body weight much lower than what is considered healthy for their height, age, and gender. The disorder can lead to serious physical and mental health issues, such as low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, anemia, osteoporosis, depression, and fertility problems.

• Anorexia nervosa has a lifetime prevalence of 0.6% among adults.
• Over 9 million people in the United States will develop an eating disorder during their lifetime.
• Anorexia nervosa is 3 times more prevalent in females than in males.
• 35% of female college athletes are at an increased risk of developing anorexia nervosa.
• Approximately one-third of transgender individuals are affected by eating disorders.
• Around 20-35% of individuals with autism are affected by anorexia nervosa
• 10% of male sportspeople have a heightened risk of anorexia nervosa.
• 1 in 100 young women aged 10 to 19 suffer from anorexia nervosa.
• Anorexia nervosa is commonly found in people with other mental health conditions.
• Between 12% and 18% of people with substance use disorders also have anorexia nervosa.
• Anorexia nervosa affects 95% of individuals between the ages of 12 and 25.
• 30% to 70% of people with depressive disorders are also affected by bulimia nervosa.
• 20% to 60% of individuals with anxiety disorders also have anorexia nervosa.
• People with anorexia nervosa are more likely to die by suicide than the general population.

(Source: National Institute of Health, National Eating Disorders Association, American Psychological Association, Eating Disorder Hope, Eating Disorders Victoria)

Bulimia Nervosa Eating Disorder

Bulimia is an eating disorder characterized by frequent episodes of consuming large quantities of food, during which the individual experiences a sense of losing control over their eating.

• Bulimia nervosa has a lifetime prevalence of 1.7%-2.0% in women and 0.5%-0.7% in men, with women being more commonly affected.
• The prevalence of bulimia nervosa in ethnic minority youth is 5.1% for girls and 2.3% for boys, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive care.
• Among youth with bulimia nervosa, 49% have major depression, and 66% have an anxiety disorder, emphasizing the comorbidity between eating disorders and other mental health issues.
• 2% of adolescent boys and girls with diabetes engage in self-induced vomiting, complicating their health management.
• 88% of hospital admissions for bulimia nervosa are individuals under 40 years old, reflecting the disorder’s impact on younger populations.
• 92% of hospital admissions for bulimia nervosa are women, showing the gender disparity in the disorder’s prevalence.
• Schizophrenia (52%) and depression (23%) are the most common psychiatric comorbidities in hospitalized bulimia nervosa patients, complicating recovery.
• Women with bulimia nervosa are three times more likely to experience comorbid conditions such as drug use, diabetes, depression, and hypertension.
• The crude mortality rate for men with bulimia nervosa in inpatient care is 8%, compared to 3% for women, highlighting the higher mortality risk for males.

Moreover

• 34% of individuals with bulimia nervosa also experience night eating syndrome, further complicating their eating patterns.
• 8% of individuals with bulimia nervosa may develop anorexia nervosa, while 9% may transition to binge-eating disorder.
• 17% of individuals recovering from bulimia nervosa may experience relapse after treatment, showing the challenge of long-term recovery.
• 50% of individuals with bulimia nervosa may fully recover without formal treatment, though professional intervention is typically recommended.
• 35% of individuals with bulimia nervosa engage in self-harming behaviors, underscoring the psychological toll of the disorder.
• Approximately 35% of individuals with bulimia nervosa are expected to recover fully through psychotherapy.
• Individuals with bulimia nervosa who show higher levels of readiness and confidence tend to experience more significant reductions in disorder-related behaviors.

(Source: Break Binge Eating)

Binge-Eating Disorder

Binge-eating disorder (BED) is an eating disorder defined by repeated episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short time. Unlike bulimia nervosa, people with BED do not engage in compensatory behaviors like purging or excessive exercise following binge eating episodes.

• Binge eating disorders are estimated to affect 3.5% of women and 2% of men and impact 30-40% of individuals seeking weight loss treatment.
• Binge-eating disorder is most prevalent in the U.S.
• Approximately 2.8 million adults in the U.S. are affected by binge-eating disorder.
• 78.9% of individuals with binge-eating disorder also suffer from another mental health condition.
• 65.1% of those with binge-eating disorder experience symptoms of anxiety.
• 43.6% of people with binge-eating disorder are women.
• The binge-eating disorder affects three times as many people as anorexia and bulimia nervosa combined.
• 3.5% of women in the U.S. are affected by binge-eating disorder.
• 2% of men in the U.S. experience binge-eating disorder.
• 1.6% of adolescents in the U.S. are affected by binge-eating disorder.

(Source: National Alliance For Eating Disorders, National Eating Disorders Association, The Recovery Village, Walden Eating Disorders)

Eating Disorders Cost and Treatment Access

• The majority of outpatient eating disorder treatment providers do not accept insurance and operate with full practices relying on privately paid clients.
• The University of California San Diego estimates that the cost of a single eating disorder treatment episode averages $80,000.
• The FEDUP Collective reports 228 eating disorder treatment centers in the U.S., with an average of 25 clients per center, offering approximately 6,000 treatment spots. This translates to one spot for every 5,000 people diagnosed with an eating disorder.
• The Fighting Eating Disorders in Underrepresented Populations (FEDUP ) Collective has compiled a list of 57 eating disorder providers serving Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC) and LGBTQ communities. Project HEAL estimates the number of such providers in the U.S. to be around 150, representing about 5% of the total provider field.
• Funding for eating disorder research is only 73¢ per affected person annually, amounting to roughly $21 million in total funding.

(Source: Project HEAL)

Recent Developments

Product Launches

• In September 2023, EDCare, an eating disorder treatment company, launched its Adolescent Eating Disorder Treatment Program in Denver, offering a robust recovery approach through Emotion-Focused Family Therapy (EFFT).
• In May 2023, the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and AvoMD, a software company that integrates clinical evidence into medical workflows, launched an interactive screening and assessment tool based on the APA’s updated practice guidelines for treating eating disorders.

Acquisitions and Mergers

• WellnessGroup has merged with ED Recovery Center to create an extensive network of eating disorder treatment centers and counseling services, with combined revenue expectations surpassing $200 million.
• NutritionCare Inc. has acquired EatingWell Solutions for $70 million, enhancing its expertise in nutrition therapy and eating disorder treatment services.

Funding Rounds

• In February 2025, the Australian Government allocated a $9.2 million grant to the Butterfly National Helpline to strengthen support for individuals facing eating disorders. The funding also introduced a new single-session intervention model to provide immediate relief and short-term assistance to those awaiting more extensive treatment.
• In May 2023, the Albanese Government secured $70 million to advance research and treatment for eating disorders and childhood mental health. The funding is dedicated to developing innovative programs, enhancing services, training healthcare professionals, and providing better support for patients, their families, and caregivers.

New Treatment Modalities

• RecoveryMind introduced a virtual support group platform for those recovering from eating disorders, offering peer support and professional guidance, with a target of 100,000 active users within six months.
• EatHealthy has launched a meal planning app specifically designed for individuals with eating disorders, offering personalized nutrition advice and meal tracking capabilities, intending to reach 500,000 downloads in its first year.

Consumer Trends

• Increased awareness of body positivity and mental health advocacy has driven a significant rise in demand for eating disorder treatment services, resulting in a 30% increase in admissions to residential treatment centers compared to the previous year.
• Online therapy platforms have seen a 35% growth in usage among individuals seeking support for eating disorders. Highlighting the growing acceptance and preference for telehealth solutions in mental healthcare delivery.

Regulatory Landscape

• Regulatory bodies have established guidelines for accrediting and licensing eating disorder treatment facilities, ensuring high-quality care, adherence to evidence-based treatment protocols, and building trust among patients and families needing treatment options.

Conclusion

Eating Disorder Statistics: Eating disorders remain a major global health issue, impacting millions of individuals from diverse backgrounds. With approximately 9% of the population affected, the widespread nature of these disorders emphasizes the urgent need for effective treatment options, heightened awareness, and early intervention.

The statistics highlight the significant influence of genetic and demographic factors in the development of eating disorders. Moreover, the increasing demand for specialized care and the rising acceptance of telehealth and innovative treatment approaches mark a positive trend toward more accessible and effective support. To address the growing challenges posed by eating disorders, ongoing investment in research, resources, and inclusive care will be crucial moving forward.

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