
Based on diagnostic interview data from the NCS-R, Table 2 shows the lifetime treatment of eating disorders among U.S. adults 18 and older. Approximately one-third (33.8%) of respondents with anorexia nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa
An eating disorder characterized by abnormally low body weight.
Full Answer
How many people have an eating disorder?
That breaks down to 20 million women and 10 million men. Although many people associate young women with eating disorders, men can have them too. "We think the 10 million number is probably larger," Mysko says.
Where can I find additional information about eating disorders?
Additional information about eating disorders can be found on the NIMH Health Topics page on Eating Disorders. 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.
How is an eating disorder diagnosed and treated?
Typically, the professional who diagnoses the eating disorder can help refer a person to other eating disorder professionals within the community. A treatment plan may include outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, or residential treatment. Often, treatment includes both the patient and their family.
What is the success rate of eating disorder treatment?
The facts about eating disorders are sobering, but here’s the good news: statistics also show that up to 80 percent of patients who receive and complete eating disorder treatment will recover or improve significantly.

What percentage of people receive treatment for anorexia?
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.
What percentage of the population is diagnosed with anorexia nervosa?
Since anorexia is so well-known, people assume that it is also common. But in reality, less than 2 percent of the population has true anorexia. These people face very serious health consequences, which can be blunted and blurred by the pro-ana movement, but thankfully, the incidence of this disease is very low.
What percentage of people get over eating disorders?
However, adult remission rates for anorexia are only around 20-30% with best available treatment. 30-60% of people with bulimia nervosa or binge eating disorder make a full recovery with CBT.
What are the statistics about eating disorders?
General Eating Disorder Statistics Eating disorders affect at least 9% of the population worldwide. 9% of the U.S. population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Less than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically diagnosed as “underweight.”
Which country has the highest rate of eating disorders?
It is fair to say that the increasing rate of eating disorders, Japan has the highest rate of prevalence, followed by Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea.
How many Americans per million are diagnosed with bulimia?
Surveys show a rate of approximately 1.5 percent of the US female population and 0.5 percent of the male population has experienced bulimia in their lifetimes. These percentages translate to 4.7 million females and 1.5 million males.
What is the most common eating disorder in America?
Binge eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the U.S., according to the National Eating Disorders Association. It's characterized by episodes of eating large amounts of food, often quickly and to the point of discomfort.
Does everyone have an eating disorder?
When it comes down to it, no— not everyone has an eating disorder. Not everyone spends their days trying to find ways to be in control of their diet and their life. Not everyone has the perpetual anxiety of how they will get out of the next meal.
Which age group has the highest rate of disordered eating?
Surveys find that middle-aged women (defined as 35–55 years of age), report high rates of eating disorder symptoms, dieting, and body dissatisfaction, especially among those with higher body mass (BMI) values [8; 9; 10].
What percentage of females have subthreshold anorexia?
Subthreshold anorexia occurs in 1.1% to 3.0% of adolescent females. Between 1.1% and 4.6% of females and 0.1% to 0.5% of males will develop bulimia. Subthreshold bulimia occurs in 2.0% to 5.4% of adolescent females. Between 0.2% and 3.5% of females and 0.9% and 2.0% of males will develop binge eating disorder. ...
How many Swedish twins have anorexia?
In a study of 31,406 Swedish twins born from 1935-1958, 1.2% of the women had strictly defined anorexia nervosa during their lifetime, which increased to 2.4% when a looser definition of anorexia was used ( Bulik et al., 2006 ).
When did anorexia increase?
An analysis of many studies from Europe and North America revealed that rates of anorexia increased sharply until the 1970s, when they stabilized. Rates of bulimia increased during the 1980s and early 1990s, and they have since remained the same or decreased slightly ( Smink, van Hoeken, & van Hoek, 2012 ).
Has the rate of new diagnoses of anorexia and bulimia changed over time?
Have these numbers changed over time? The answer isn’t clear. It does appear that, at least for the last two decades, the rates of new diagnoses of anorexia and bulimia have remained relatively stable.
What time does the NEDA helpline call?
You can also chat with our Helpline! NEDA Helpline chat hours are Monday-Thursday from 9am to 9pm ET, and Friday from 9am to 5pm ET. Chat Now.
Can you search medical records for eating disorders?
Since the vast majority of people with eating disorders either never seek formal treatment for their disorder or are never formally diagnosed ( Hart et al., 2011 ), researchers can’t just search medical records. Still, scientists in the US and around the world are trying to gather data to give sufferers, loved ones, ...
What is family based therapy?
Family-based therapy (FBT). FBT is an evidence-based treatment for children and teenagers with eating disorders. The family is involved in making sure that the child or other family member follows healthy-eating patterns and maintains a healthy weight. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is commonly used in eating disorder treatment, ...
What is the treatment for eating disorders?
Treatment. Treatment of an eating disorder generally includes a team approach. The team typically includes primary care providers, mental health professionals and dietitians — all with experience in eating disorders. Treatment depends on your specific type of eating disorder. But in general, it typically includes nutrition education, ...
What is the best treatment for bulimia?
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is commonly used in eating disorder treatment, especially for bulimia and binge-eating disorder. You learn how to monitor and improve your eating habits and your moods, develop problem-solving skills, and explore healthy ways to cope with stressful situations.
What is alternative medicine?
Alternative medicine is the use of a nonconventional approach instead of conventional medicine. Complementary or integrative medicine is a nonconventional approach used along with conventional medicine. Usually, when people turn to alternative or complementary medicine it's to improve their health.
What to do if you are not eating well?
If you're not eating well, chances are your body isn't getting all of the nutrients it needs, such as vitamin D or iron.
What do you ask a doctor about eating disorders?
A doctor or mental health professional will likely ask about your thoughts, feelings and eating habits. You may also be asked to complete psychological self-assessment questionnaires. Other studies. Additional tests may be done to check for any complications related to your eating disorder. Your mental health professional also may use ...
What tests are done to determine if you are eating disorders?
Assessments and tests generally include: Physical exam. Your doctor will likely examine you to rule out other medical causes for your eating issues. He or she may also order lab tests. Psychological evaluation.
What are the most common eating disorders?
Eating disorders are thought to be caused by a mix of genetic, environmental and personality factors. The most common eating disorders include: Anorexia nervosa , which involves individuals wanting to stay obsessively thin.
How often do you purge for binge eating disorder?
There is no purging involved. This binging behavior must happen at least once a week over three months to be formally diagnosed. Binge eating disorder is more common than both anorexia and bulimia. Over their lifetime, 3.5% of women and 2% of men are slated to have binge eating disorder, according to the NEDA.
What is the percentage of people with anorexia with depression?
Eating disorders are commonly associated with co-occurring behavioral or mood disorders or trauma: 33% to 50% of those with anorexia also have a mood disorder such as depression, according to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.
What percentage of transgender students have an eating disorder?
Sixteen percent of transgender college students reported having an eating disorder, according to the ANAD. Although statistics about eating disorders in this population group are not consistent, the NEDA states that gay, lesbian and bisexual teens are thought to be at a higher risk of binge eating and purging.
How many people have bulimia?
Over their lifetime, 1.5% of women and 0.5% of men will develop bulimia, the NEDA reports. Binge eating disorder refers to eating an excessive amount of food in a short period of time, such as over a couple of hours. There is no purging involved.
What percentage of women over 50 have eating disorders?
Thirteen percent of women older than 50 engage in disordered eating behaviors, according to the ANAD. This statistic doesn't refer to having an eating disorder necessarily, but instead refers to the number of people who may do things like create certain rules about eating or obsess over being thin.
What is the term for obsessive focus on eating?
Orthorexia refers to an obsessive and extreme focus on "pure" or "clean" eating. Orthorexia is not a formal diagnosis yet, so it's difficult to get an accurate number of how many people have it. However, it's a growing trend that health professionals have observed.
How many people recover from eating disorders?
The facts about eating disorders are sobering, but here’s the good news: statistics also show that up to 80 percent of patients who receive and complete eating disorder treatment will recover or improve significantly.
How to contact eating recovery center?
To learn more about your treatment options, please call us at 877-825-8584 to schedule a free confidential consultation with an Eating Recovery Center Masters-level clinician. We’re here to help you along the path to a full and lasting recovery. Eating Recovery Center is accredited through the Joint Commission.
Which mental illness has the highest mortality rate?
Highest mortality rate. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, with nearly 1 person dying every hour as a direct result of an eating disorder.
Is eating recovery center accredited?
Eating Recovery Center is accredited through the Joint Commission. This organization seeks to enhance the lives of the persons served in healthcare settings through a consultative accreditation process emphasizing quality, value and optimal outcomes of services.

Diagnosis
- Eating disorders are diagnosed based on signs, symptoms and eating habits. If your doctor suspects you have an eating disorder, he or she will likely perform an exam and request tests to help pinpoint a diagnosis. You may see both your primary care provider and a mental health professional for a diagnosis. Assessments and tests generally include: 1...
Treatment
- Treatment of an eating disorder generally includes a team approach. The team typically includes primary care providers, mental health professionals and dietitians — all with experience in eating disorders. Treatment depends on your specific type of eating disorder. But in general, it typically includes nutrition education, psychotherapy and medication. If your life is at risk, you may need immediate hospitalization.
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- To improve your chances of success in overcoming your eating disorder, try to make these steps a part of your daily routine: 1. Stick to your treatment plan— don't skip therapy sessions and try not to stray from meal plans. Follow your doctor's recommendations on physical activity and exercise. 2. Talk to your doctorabout appropriate vitamin and mineral supplements. If you're not eating well, chances are your body isn't getting all of the nutrients …
Alternative Medicine
- Alternative medicine is the use of a nonconventional approach instead of conventional medicine. Complementary or integrative medicine is a nonconventional approach used along with conventional medicine. Usually, when people turn to alternative or complementary medicine it's to improve their health. But dietary supplements and herbal products designed to suppress the appetite or aid in weight loss may be unsafe and abused by people wit…
Coping and Support
- It's difficult to cope with an eating disorder when you're hit with mixed messages by the media, culture, and perhaps your own family or friends. Whether you or your loved one has an eating disorder, ask your doctor or mental health professional for advice on coping and emotional support. Learning effective coping strategies and getting the support you need from family and friends are vital to successful treatment.
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what you might expect from your doctor and a mental health professional. You may want to ask a family member or friend to come with you. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot. A family member may also be able to give your doctor a fuller picture of your home life.