Eating Disorders Statistics

Eating disorders and disordered eating patterns are a widespread problem and have increased over the last 30-40 years.

Eating disorders are responsible for more loss of life than any other type of psychological illness.

Millions of people suffer from eating disorders, and while this figure includes individuals who have been diagnosed with an eating disorder, it is also thought to include those who have not received an official diagnosis. Many instances of eating disorders are thought to remain undiagnosed because they are unreported, possibly due to the shame, secrecy and deniability associated with such conditions.

Many eating disorders are atypical, which means that problem-eating behaviours are present, but do not meet the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder.

Eating disorders are more common among women, but men suffer too. And while eating problems are more prevalent among women of a certain age group, they can affect anyone at any age, from any cultural background.

The study of eating disorders, their prevalence and effects is relatively new. Researchers use different research methods and study different groups of people, which yield different results.

Eating disorders statistics vary according to the source from which they are obtained. Therefore any statistics cited should be considered with caution.

(All statistics on this website were obtained from the corresponding websites of the organisations mentioned.)

More Information

Eating Disorders Statistics UK - At least 1.1 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder, with young people in the age-group 14-25 being most at risk of developing this type of illness.

Eating Disorders Statistics US - According to the first nationally representative study of eating disorders in the United States, which appeared in the February 2007 edition of Biological Psychiatry, an estimated 0.6 to 4.5 percent of individuals suffer from an eating disorder in their lifetime.

Anorexia Nervosa Statistics UK - Anorexia Nervosa is more common in women than men, but people of all ages and backgrounds can suffer from the disease.

Anorexia Nervosa Statistics US - According to the first nationally representative study of eating disorders in the United States, which appeared in the February 2007 edition of Biological Psychiatry, 0.9 percent of women and 0.3 percent of men reported suffering from anorexia in their lifetime.

Bulimia Nervosa Statistics UK - Bulimia Nervosa is an eating disorder that mostly affects women, although like any other eating disorder, it can affect anyone at any age.

Bulimia Nervosa Statistics US - According to the first nationally representative study of eating disorders in the United States, which appeared in the February 2007 edition of Biological Psychiatry, 1.5 percent of women and 0.5 percent of men reported suffering from bulimia in their lifetime.

Binge Eating Disorder Statistics UK - It is harder to find reliable statistics related to binge eating disorder in the UK than it is for anorexia or bulimia.

Binge Eating Disorder Statistics US - Binge eating disorder statistics vary widely. According to the first nationally representative study of eating disorders in the United States, which appeared in the February 2007 edition of Biological Psychiatry, 3.5 percent of women and 2 percent of men reported suffering from binge eating disorder in their lifetime.

Binge Eating Disorder Most Common - Binge eating disorder is more common in American society than anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, according to a 2007 study published in the Official Journal of the Society of Biological Psychiatry.

Eating Disorders in Australia - A health survey carried out in South Australia in 1995, and then repeated in 2005, showed the number of people with an eating disorder doubled to almost 1 in 20 over the course of 10 years.