Eating Disorder Statistics 2025: What the Numbers Reveal About This Growing Crisis
Every 52 minutes, someone in America dies from complications related to an eating disorder. Let that sink in for a moment.
Right now, nearly 29 million Americans are struggling with an eating disorder. That's roughly 9% of the U.S. population—more people than live in the entire state of Texas. These disorders have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric condition, yet they remain widely misunderstood and underdiagnosed.
The statistics paint a troubling picture. Eating disorder prevalence has increased by 124% globally since 2000. Young people are developing these conditions earlier than ever before, with the average age of onset now between 12 and 13 years old. And despite what many people believe, eating disorders don't discriminate—they affect people of all genders, races, ages, and body types.
If you're reading this because you're concerned about yourself or someone you love, you're not alone. This guide breaks down the latest eating disorder statistics to help you understand the scope of this crisis, recognize warning signs, and know when to seek help.
Key Eating Disorder Statistics at a Glance
Sources: NIMH, NEDA, ANAD, Deloitte Access Economics
Eating Disorder Prevalence in America
The numbers are staggering. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 9% of the U.S. population will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. That translates to 28.8 million Americans.
Here's what the current data shows:
Overall prevalence: 5.5% of women and 2.7% of men will develop an eating disorder in their lifetime. But annual prevalence—meaning people currently struggling—affects about 1-3% of the population at any given time.
Gender breakdown: While eating disorders affect more women than men overall (a 2:1 ratio), one in three people with an eating disorder is male. This challenges the outdated stereotype that eating disorders are a "female problem." Many men go undiagnosed because they don't fit the perceived profile.
Age of onset: The average age when eating disorders first develop is 12-13 years old, though they can begin at any age. We're seeing increasing rates among children as young as 8-10 years old, which is deeply concerning to researchers and clinicians.
Lifetime vs. annual prevalence: While 9% will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime, about 2-3% of the population is actively struggling at any given moment. This means millions of Americans are in need of treatment right now.
The trajectory is troubling. Eating disorder prevalence has more than doubled globally since 2000, with a 124% increase according to World Health Organization data. The United States has seen similar trends, with hospitalization rates climbing steadily year over year.
How Eating Disorder Prevalence Has Changed Over Time
That's a 124% increase in just 25 years — from 10.9 million to 28.8 million Americans affected
Types of Eating Disorders: Individual Statistics
Anorexia Nervosa Statistics
Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder at 10.4%. Let that number sit with you—more than one in ten people with anorexia will die from complications related to the disease.
Current prevalence estimates suggest 0.3-1% of young women have anorexia at any given time. The lifetime prevalence is higher, affecting about 0.9% of women and 0.3% of men according to NIMH data.
Recovery is possible but challenging. About 46% of people with anorexia make a full recovery, 33% show improvement, and unfortunately 20% develop chronic anorexia. Early intervention dramatically improves outcomes.
The physical toll is severe. Anorexia can cause heart failure, bone loss, kidney failure, and electrolyte imbalances that can be fatal. It's not just a psychological condition—it's a serious medical emergency.
Eating Disorders Have the Highest Mortality Rate of Any Mental Illness
Every 52 minutes, someone in America dies from an eating disorder. That's 27 people per day, or nearly 10,000 deaths annually.
Bulimia Nervosa Statistics
Bulimia affects approximately 1-1.5% of young women and 0.5% of young men during their lifetimes. At any given time, about 0.28% of the U.S. population meets criteria for bulimia.
Health complications are common. About 89% of people with bulimia experience at least one medical complication, including electrolyte imbalances, dental erosion, gastrointestinal problems, and irregular heartbeat.
Treatment outcomes for bulimia are generally better than anorexia, with about 45% achieving full recovery and 27% showing significant improvement. However, relapse rates remain high at 30-50% within the first year after treatment.
The mortality rate for bulimia is lower than anorexia but still concerning at 3.9%. Many deaths occur from suicide or sudden cardiac events related to electrolyte imbalances.
Binge Eating Disorder Statistics
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the United States, affecting 2.8 million Americans. That's more people than anorexia and bulimia combined.
Prevalence rates show BED affects about 1.6% of adult women and 0.8% of adult men. Unlike other eating disorders, BED affects men at nearly equal rates to women, with roughly 40% of cases occurring in men.
The challenge with BED is that it often goes undiagnosed. Many people struggle in silence for years because they don't realize binge eating is a recognized medical condition that deserves treatment.
People with BED face increased risk for obesity-related health conditions including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. About 65% of people with BED also struggle with depression or anxiety.
ARFID, OSFED, and Other Eating Disorders
ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and OSFED (Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder) represent significant portions of eating disorder cases, though research is still emerging.
OSFED accounts for nearly 32% of all eating disorder cases seen in clinical settings. These are people with serious symptoms that don't quite meet full criteria for anorexia, bulimia, or BED.
ARFID is more common in children and may affect 5-14% of children in inpatient eating disorder programs. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID isn't driven by body image concerns but by sensory issues, fear of adverse consequences, or lack of interest in eating.
Which Eating Disorder Is Most Common?
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
MOST COMMONBulimia Nervosa
Anorexia Nervosa
HIGHEST MORTALITYOSFED & Other Types
Key Insight: Binge Eating Disorder is often overlooked because it doesn't match stereotypes, yet it affects more Americans than any other eating disorder.
Eating Disorders by Demographics
Age and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders can develop at any age, but certain patterns emerge in the data.
Children and adolescents: Worldwide, approximately 22% of children and adolescents show disordered eating behaviors. In the U.S., about 2.7% of teens aged 13-18 have an eating disorder.
The concerning trend? We're seeing eating disorders in younger children than ever before. Cases in children under 12 increased by 119% between 2000 and 2018.
College-age young adults: Eating disorder rates peak during late adolescence and early adulthood. Studies show 13-21% of college students experience disordered eating behaviors, though not all meet full diagnostic criteria.
Adults and older adults: This is an underreported population. About 13% of women over 50 exhibit eating disorder symptoms, yet they're rarely screened or diagnosed. The stereotype that eating disorders only affect young people prevents many older adults from getting help.
Gender and Eating Disorders
The gender breakdown challenges common assumptions.
While women are diagnosed at higher rates—affecting 20 million women compared to 10 million men—males represent one in three cases. That's a significant proportion that often gets overlooked.
Why are men underdiagnosed? Several factors play a role. Men may be less likely to seek help due to stigma. Healthcare providers may not screen men as regularly. And diagnostic criteria were historically developed based on female populations, potentially missing male presentations.
Recent data on non-binary and transgender individuals shows even higher rates. Transgender college students report eating disorder rates of 15.6%, compared to 9.5% for cisgender students. Body image concerns related to gender dysphoria may contribute to this elevated risk.
Breaking Down the Gender Statistics
The stereotype that eating disorders only affect women prevents millions of men from getting diagnosed and treated
Race, Ethnicity and Eating Disorders
Eating disorders affect people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds, yet BIPOC communities are underdiagnosed and undertreated.
The statistics are eye-opening: Black teenagers are 50% more likely than white teenagers to exhibit bulimic behaviors such as binge eating and purging. Hispanic and Latinx individuals are significantly more affected by bulimia nervosa compared to other populations.
Despite higher or equal prevalence rates, people of color are half as likely to be diagnosed with or receive treatment for an eating disorder. This treatment gap reflects systemic issues in healthcare access and cultural bias in diagnosis.
Asian Americans, particularly women, show eating disorder rates comparable to white populations, yet they face unique cultural pressures around body image and achievement that may go unrecognized by providers.
LGBTQ+ and Eating Disorders
Sexual and gender minority youth face disproportionately high rates of eating disorders.
Research shows gay and bisexual men are seven times more likely to report binge eating and twelve times more likely to report purging than heterosexual men. Lesbian and bisexual women have higher rates of binge eating compared to heterosexual women.
The numbers are even more concerning for transgender individuals, with some studies showing eating disorder rates as high as 32% among transgender college students.
Body image concerns, discrimination, and minority stress all contribute to this elevated risk. The intersection of gender dysphoria and body dissatisfaction creates particular vulnerability for trans individuals.
The COVID-19 Impact on Eating Disorders
The pandemic created a perfect storm for eating disorders.
Hospitalizations for eating disorders doubled among adolescents during 2020-2021 compared to pre-pandemic levels. Emergency department visits for eating disorders increased by 107% for adolescent girls aged 12-17.
Several factors contributed: social isolation, disrupted routines, increased time on social media, loss of support systems, and heightened anxiety about health and control.
The good news? Telehealth adoption expanded access to treatment. About 76% of eating disorder treatment providers now offer virtual options, compared to less than 20% before the pandemic.
But the crisis continues. Even as pandemic restrictions lifted, eating disorder rates remained elevated through 2024. Many people who developed symptoms during lockdowns are still struggling to access treatment.
The Pandemic's Devastating Impact on Eating Disorders
Contributing Factors: Social isolation, disrupted routines, loss of support systems, increased social media use, and heightened anxiety about health and control created a perfect storm for eating disorder development.
Health Consequences and Mortality
The medical consequences of eating disorders are severe and wide-ranging.
Cardiovascular complications: The leading cause of death in anorexia is cardiac arrest. Starvation weakens the heart muscle, slows heart rate, and causes dangerous electrolyte imbalances. About 20% of people with anorexia develop abnormal heart rhythms.
Bone health: Up to 90% of people with anorexia develop osteopenia or osteoporosis. Bone loss during critical growing years may never fully reverse.
Gastrointestinal issues: Chronic purging damages the esophagus and stomach. About 17% of people with bulimia develop serious gastrointestinal complications.
Mental health: The overlap between eating disorders and other mental health conditions is significant. About 94% of people with eating disorders also meet criteria for at least one other psychiatric diagnosis, most commonly depression (50-75%) and anxiety disorders (48-51%).
Suicide risk: People with eating disorders face the highest suicide rate of any psychiatric diagnosis. Studies show suicide accounts for about 1 in 5 deaths among people with anorexia. The suicide rate is 18-31 times higher than the general population.
The overall mortality rate for eating disorders is estimated at 10.4%, with anorexia being the deadliest psychiatric illness.
Economic Cost of Eating Disorders
The financial burden is staggering—$64.7 billion annually in the United States according to Deloitte Access Economics.
This breaks down into:
Healthcare costs: $6.6 billion in direct medical expenses
Lost productivity: $46.8 billion from reduced work capacity and absenteeism
Premature mortality: $7.5 billion in lost lifetime earnings
Family burden: $3.8 billion in caregiver costs and lost productivity
The average cost of eating disorder treatment ranges from $500-$2,000 per day for inpatient care. Outpatient treatment averages $100,000-$150,000 per person over the course of recovery.
Yet only about 6% of people with eating disorders receive treatment. The treatment gap represents not just human suffering but massive preventable economic costs.
Where Does the $64.7 Billion Annual Cost Go?
Absenteeism, reduced work capacity, unemployment
Lost lifetime earnings from deaths
Treatment, hospitalization, medical care
Caregiver costs, lost productivity
Reality Check: The average cost of full eating disorder treatment is $100,000-$150,000 per person — yet only 6% of people receive any treatment at all.
Treatment and Recovery Statistics
Recovery is possible, but too few people receive help.
The treatment gap is shocking: Only 6% of people with eating disorders receive treatment for their condition. Barriers include lack of insurance coverage, shortage of specialized providers, stigma, and failure to recognize symptoms.
Treatment effectiveness: Evidence-based treatments show good outcomes. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps about 60% of people with bulimia achieve abstinence from binge eating and purging. Family-based treatment (FBT) shows 40-50% full remission rates for adolescents with anorexia.
Time to recovery: Recovery isn't quick. The average time from eating disorder onset to full recovery ranges from 5-7 years. However, early intervention dramatically shortens this timeline.
Relapse rates: About 30-50% of people relapse within the first year after treatment. This doesn't mean treatment failed—eating disorders are chronic conditions that often require multiple treatment episodes.
Importance of early intervention: When treatment begins within the first three years of symptoms, recovery rates improve by 80%. Waiting longer than five years significantly reduces the likelihood of full recovery.
The statistics are clear: treatment works, but we need to get people into care faster.
The Recovery Journey: What to Expect
Early Intervention (0-3 years from onset)
Recovery rates improve by 80% when treatment starts early. The first three years are critical.
Active Treatment Phase (6 months - 2 years)
Intensive therapy, nutritional rehabilitation, medical monitoring. CBT shows 60% remission for bulimia.
Consolidation & Relapse Prevention (2-4 years)
Building sustainable habits, ongoing support. Relapse risk is highest in first year at 30-50%.
Full Recovery (5-7+ years average)
46% of anorexia patients and 45% of bulimia patients achieve complete recovery with proper treatment.
Recovery isn't linear, but with proper treatment and support, most people can and do recover. Early intervention is key.
Myth vs. Fact: Common Misconceptions About Eating Disorders
❌ Myth: Eating disorders only affect teenage girls
✓ Fact: One in three people with eating disorders is male. Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, and body types. The average age of onset is 12-13, but cases range from children as young as 6 to adults in their 70s and 80s.
❌ Myth: You can tell if someone has an eating disorder by looking at them
✓ Fact: Only 6% of people with eating disorders are medically underweight. People at all body sizes can have serious eating disorders. Weight is not a reliable indicator of illness severity.
❌ Myth: Eating disorders are a choice or about vanity
✓ Fact: Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses with biological, psychological, and social causes. They have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric condition at 10.4%. Nobody chooses to develop a life-threatening illness.
❌ Myth: Eating disorders only affect white, wealthy people
✓ Fact: Black teenagers are 50% more likely than white teenagers to exhibit bulimic behaviors. BIPOC individuals are half as likely to be diagnosed or receive treatment—not because they're less affected, but due to bias and access barriers.
❌ Myth: Full recovery is impossible
✓ Fact: About 46% of people with anorexia and 45% with bulimia achieve full recovery. Early intervention improves outcomes by 80%. Recovery takes time—typically 5-7 years—but it absolutely happens.
❌ Myth: Binge eating isn't a real eating disorder
✓ Fact: Binge eating disorder affects 2.8 million Americans—more than anorexia and bulimia combined. It's a recognized medical condition with serious health consequences that deserves professional treatment.
❌ Myth: Parents cause eating disorders
✓ Fact: Eating disorders are complex conditions with genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Parents don't cause eating disorders, and they're often the key to recovery. Family-based treatment shows 40-50% remission rates.
❌ Myth: Eating disorders are just about food
✓ Fact: While symptoms involve food and eating, eating disorders are about control, coping, identity, and underlying psychological distress. About 94% of people with eating disorders have at least one other mental health condition.
Warning Signs and When to Seek Help
Recognizing eating disorder symptoms early can save lives. Here are the signs to watch for:
Behavioral warning signs:
Dramatic weight loss or fluctuation
Preoccupation with weight, food, calories, or body shape
Skipping meals or making excuses to avoid eating
Eating in secret or hoarding food
Excessive exercise that interferes with daily life
Frequent bathroom trips after meals
Using laxatives, diuretics, or diet pills
Physical warning signs:
Stomach cramps or digestive problems
Dizziness or fainting
Always feeling cold
Brittle hair and nails
Dry skin or development of fine hair all over the body
Dental problems (particularly with purging)
Irregular or absent periods
Emotional and social warning signs:
Withdrawal from friends and activities
Mood swings or irritability
Depression or anxiety
Perfectionism or rigid thinking
Comments about feeling fat despite weight loss
Wearing baggy clothes to hide body
If you notice several of these signs in yourself or someone you care about, professional help is needed. Early intervention dramatically improves outcomes.
When to seek immediate help: If someone experiences chest pain, irregular heartbeat, fainting, severe weakness, or expresses suicidal thoughts, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Could You or Someone You Love Have an Eating Disorder?
Answer these questions honestly. If you answer "yes" to 3 or more, consider speaking with a healthcare professional.
Important Disclaimer:
This is not a diagnostic tool. Only a qualified healthcare professional can diagnose an eating disorder. If you answered yes to several questions, please reach out to your doctor or call the NEDA Helpline at 1-800-931-2237.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eating Disorder Statistics
How common are eating disorders in the United States?
Eating disorders affect approximately 9% of the U.S. population over their lifetime, or 28.8 million Americans. At any given time, about 1-3% of the population is actively struggling with an eating disorder. This makes them more common than most people realize.
Can men have eating disorders?
Absolutely. One in three people with eating disorders is male—that's 10 million men in the U.S. Men are often underdiagnosed due to stigma and the misconception that eating disorders only affect women. Gay and bisexual men face particularly high risk, being seven times more likely to report binge eating.
What is the deadliest eating disorder?
Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder at 10.4%. Every 52 minutes, someone dies from an eating disorder in America. The causes of death include medical complications like cardiac arrest as well as suicide, which is 18-31 times more common among people with eating disorders than the general population.
Do eating disorders only affect thin people?
No. Only 6% of people with eating disorders are medically underweight. People at all body sizes can have serious, life-threatening eating disorders. Weight is not a reliable indicator of illness severity. This misconception prevents many people from getting diagnosed and treated.
What causes eating disorders?
Eating disorders result from a combination of genetic, biological, psychological, and environmental factors. They run in families—if a parent or sibling has an eating disorder, you're 7-12 times more likely to develop one. Brain chemistry, trauma, cultural pressures, perfectionism, and life stress all play roles. No single factor causes an eating disorder.
Can eating disorders be cured?
Yes, full recovery is possible. About 46% of people with anorexia and 45% with bulimia achieve complete recovery. Early intervention improves outcomes by 80%. Recovery typically takes 5-7 years, and some people experience relapses, but with appropriate treatment and support, most people can and do recover.
How many people with eating disorders get treatment?
Shockingly, only about 6% of people with eating disorders receive treatment. Barriers include lack of insurance coverage, shortage of specialized providers, stigma, denial, and failure of healthcare providers to screen and diagnose. This massive treatment gap represents millions of people suffering without help.
Are eating disorders increasing?
Yes. Global eating disorder prevalence increased by 124% between 2000 and 2018. Hospitalizations doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic and have remained elevated. We're seeing cases in younger children than ever before, with diagnoses in kids under 12 increasing by 119% over the past two decades.
What is the most common eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in America, affecting 2.8 million people—more than anorexia and bulimia combined. BED affects nearly equal numbers of men and women, yet it often goes undiagnosed because many people don't realize it's a recognized medical condition.
At what age do eating disorders typically start?
The average age of onset for eating disorders is 12-13 years old. However, eating disorders can develop at any age—we see cases in children as young as 6 and adults well into their 70s and 80s. About 22% of children and adolescents worldwide show disordered eating behaviors. Early adolescence represents the highest risk period.
Getting Help: National Eating Disorder Resources
If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, help is available.
Crisis support:
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Helpline: 1-800-931-2237 (Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm ET, Friday 9am-5pm ET)
NEDA Crisis Text Line: Text "NEDA" to 741741
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Finding treatment:
NEDA has a treatment provider database at nationaleatingdisorders.org
ANAD offers free support groups and resources at anad.org
The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders has a helpline: 1-888-375-7767
Types of treatment that work:
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps 60% of people with bulimia achieve remission
Family-based treatment (FBT): Shows 40-50% remission for adolescents
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Helpful for emotional regulation
EMDR therapy: Can address trauma underlying eating disorders
Nutritional counseling: Works with registered dietitians
Medical monitoring: Addresses physical complications
Many insurance plans now cover eating disorder treatment thanks to the Mental Health Parity Act. Don't let cost concerns prevent you from seeking help.
The Path Forward
The eating disorder statistics paint a sobering picture of a growing crisis. With 28.8 million Americans affected, a 124% global increase since 2000, and a mortality rate higher than any other mental illness, we cannot afford to look away.
But here's what the numbers also tell us: recovery is possible. Treatment works. Early intervention saves lives.
The problem isn't that eating disorders cant be treated—it's that only 6% of people get the help they need. We can change that through awareness, reducing stigma, better screening, improved access to care, and recognizing that eating disorders affect people of all ages, genders, races, and body types.
If the statistics in this article describe you or someone you care about, please reach out for help. You deserve recovery, and recovery is possible.
Sources & References:
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
- National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
- Deloitte Access Economics
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Journal of Adolescent Health
- CDC
- American Psychiatric Association DSM-5
