Eating Disorders Statistics 2024: What's New?
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Research on mental health conditions is ongoing, and new insights have been discovered each year. In 2024, eating disorder statistics can shed light on the unique challenges people with these mental health conditions face in modern society, as well as up-to-date information on the most effective treatments. Seeking treatment for eating disorders early on can be vital to early intervention and support and can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes.
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are mental health conditions that involve an unhealthy focus on food, body weight, body shape, or body size. Often, eating disorders are characterized by eating disorder behaviors, which are unhealthy eating or weight loss behaviors that can result in negative health outcomes. Eating disorders can affect anyone, though they are more common among certain groups of people.
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) provides an overview of general eating disorder statistics. However, eating disorder statistics regularly change to reflect changes in cultural and expert understanding. People wanting to stay on the cutting edge of eating disorder research may wish to follow the Journal of Eating Disorders, an open-access publication of peer-reviewed articles focused on eating disorders and eating disorder symptoms.
New research in eating disorders in 2024
Much of the eating disorder research published in 2024 focused on changes to eating disorder statistics during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, a significant proportion of the new research focused on eating disorders among specific groups of people, like military members and transgender youth. Many of the studies containing statistics report an increase in the prevalence of eating disorders in recent years, potentially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, the following statistics were observed:
- An Italian study found that eating disorder symptoms became worse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- A New Zealand study found that hospitalizations for eating disorders increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with rates especially increasing among 10 to 19-year-old females and the Indigenous Māori population.
- A Canadian study found that pediatric hospitalizations for eating disorders increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- An Irish study found that pediatric hospitals experienced a greater number of people with eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eating disorders and mental health
Eating disorders and women's health
Some 2024 studies examined how eating disorders intersected with women's health. One systematic review and meta-analysis of 11 studies found that the rates of anorexia nervosa and binge eating disorders both increase during pregnancy. In the study, 4.3% of pregnant women had an eating disorder. Eating disorders were more likely among pregnant women under age 30, with a secondary school degree, married, and with a standard body mass index (BMI).
Another study examined eating disorders among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common hormonal disorder among women. A review of 38 studies found that, across research studies, between 0% and 62% of women with PCOS also had an eating disorder. Having PCOS was associated with being three to six times more likely to have an eating disorder.
Eating disorders in the military
In 2024, a research study looked at eating disorders among US military members between 2016 and 2021. The study authors found that about 6% of military members received eating disorder diagnoses during this time. The most common condition was an unspecified type of eating disorder, followed by binge-eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa. Between 2016 and 2021, the total number of people in the military with an eating disorder increased by 18.5%.
A survey of military members found higher rates of eating disorders compared to those listed in medical records. The study also found multiple factors associated with developing an eating disorder as a military member. For example, being on active duty (rather than on reserve), being deployed into combat, lacking social support, experiencing one or more life stressors, having an alcohol use disorder, or having post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) all made having an eating disorder more likely.
Eating disorders in transgender youth
5% of transgender youth in one study were categorized as having an eating disorder. In addition, 20% of the transgender youth participants had engaged in at least one type of disordered eating behavior in the last month. Disordered eating behaviors were typically found at a much higher rate among transgender women (those assigned male at birth) compared to transgender men (those assigned female at birth). The study authors speculate that the result could be due to a desire to become thinner to appear more feminine and socially "pass" as cisgender.
Anorexia nervosa statistics
A study on anorexia nervosa and circadian rhythms found that anorexia nervosa is "a morningness disorder," occurring more commonly among morning people (those who prefer waking up early). This result stands in contrast to bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder, two eating disorders associated with being an evening person. The study also confirmed that anorexia nervosa often overlaps with insomnia or persistent trouble sleeping.
Anorexia nervosa treatments
A 20% subset of people with anorexia nervosa have the disorder long-term, which is referred to as severe enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN) by experts. A 2024 review of 25 studies published between 2003 and 2022 identified three main treatment themes for this more severe subset of anorexia nervosa: psychotherapy, medication, and brain stimulation therapy. For psychotherapy, research found that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common type.
Bulimia nervosa statistics
In one study, researchers looked at mental health outcomes for people with all types of eating disorder symptoms. Those with bulimia nervosa experienced the highest rate of improvement, as well as the highest rate of relapse. The study authors suggest that recovery from bulimia nervosa has "a more episodic course" than recovery among other eating disorders, with people experiencing more ups and downs as they recover rather than a linear recovery of steady improvement. The study also found that self-help, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) are the most effective treatments for bulimia nervosa.
Binge eating disorder statistics
Binge eating disorder came up in hundreds of 2024 studies, often considered one of the most common eating disorders in the US. Many of these studies focused on treatments, with one finding that therapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, is a popular and helpful treatment option. Another study found that education on mindful eating also returned promising results related to binge eating, body image, and worries about waist size. There were many studies on the use of certain medications to treat binge eating disorder.
Binge eating disorder and medications
Binge eating disorder causes frequent food cravings and patterns of eating significantly large quantities of food, often causing weight gain. With some medications gaining in popularity as a treatment for obesity, experts are beginning to study how these medications may work for binge eating disorder.
A 2024 study found a particular medication reduced binge eating more than two other types of medications. Other studies found similar results from medicines that were tested in people who binge eat and have type 2 diabetes and those who do not have diabetes. However, note that the BetterHelp platform is not intended to provide any information regarding which drugs, medication, or medical treatment may be appropriate for you. The content provides generalized information that is not specific to one individual. You should not take any action without consulting a qualified medical professional.
Orthorexia
Orthorexia, also called orthorexia nervosa, is an eating disorder not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5) that involves an obsession with health and food purity. Experts are increasingly recognizing the condition as an eating disorder. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 22 studies found that the statistics on orthorexia are highly variable due to a lack of unified diagnostic criteria. The authors conclude that more research is needed to develop diagnostic tools for orthorexia.
Therapy for eating disorders
If you suspect you may have an eating disorder, therapy may be helpful. Therapy provides a safe space to discuss your eating habits, thoughts, and feelings surrounding food, body weight, body image, and any other topics you want to discuss. If you face barriers to in-person options, online therapy may be a more accessible choice. Remote therapy provides comfort, allowing you to attend sessions from anywhere with an internet connection. Through a platform like BetterHelp, you can also get matched with a therapist with experience treating eating disorders.
A 2024 systematic review, meta-analysis, and multivariable meta-regression analysis of 415 studies on eating disorder outcomes determined that up to half of people with eating disorders recover. In addition to nutritional education, the authors name therapy an essential part of eating disorder recovery. Studies have also found online therapy effective, especially in supporting clients with bulimia nervosa.
Takeaway
What are recent statistics about eating disorders?
Some recent statistics about eating disorders include which is the most common, the worldwide prevalence, and the risks associated with the condition. Evidence suggests that the most common eating disorder is binge eating disorder, characterized by episodes of extremely high food intake. General eating disorder statistics are often hard to come by due to the evolving nature of eating disorders. Still, there is a consensus that binge eating disorder is the most prevalent.
Evidence also indicates that the worldwide prevalence of eating disorders is increasing, rising from 3.5% to 7.8% between 2000 and 2018. Researchers are still investigating why eating disorder cases are on the rise, but it likely correlates with an increase in body image concerns. There are also several risk factors associated with eating disorders, most notably a close family member with a history of eating disorders or another type of mental illness.
What percentage of the world has an eating disorder?
The worldwide prevalence of eating disorders is 7.8%, according to data from 2018. However, among children and adolescents, the prevalence is substantially higher. Evidence suggests that 22% of children and adolescents worldwide experience disordered eating. Eating disorders affect people differently, and it is likely that young adults, especially young women, are especially vulnerable. Comorbid psychiatric disorders, such as mood disorders or anxiety disorders, might also make someone more likely to develop an eating disorder regardless of geographic location.
What percentage of people with eating disorders will completely recover from their disorder?
Defining recovery in the context of eating disorders is considered a pressing challenge by researchers. Many consider eating disorder cases to be chronic, meaning that a person could relapse after an indefinite period without symptoms. Those diagnosed with eating disorders often refer to themselves as being in remission rather than cured. However, the wide range of symptoms and severities associated with eating disorders and associated disorders makes it difficult to generally summarize how many people will achieve remission.
Many of those diagnosed with an eating disorder also experience another health-related or psychiatric disorder at the same time, such as a substance use disorder or mood disorder. Additional mental health conditions can often complicate eating disorder diagnosis and treatment, making it challenging to determine exactly how long it takes to achieve recovery. Further complicating the problem is the continued development of eating disorder diagnostic criteria. Conditions such as atypical anorexia nervosa and night-eating syndrome are distinct from more common eating disorders, but data related to those conditions may or may not be included in studies investigating the recovery rate of eating disorders generally.
What percentage of people with eating disorders die from their condition?
Eating disorders have a substantial medical, social, and economic cost. Those who are medically diagnosed with an eating disorder experience a mortality risk substantially higher than those diagnosed with other mental health concerns. Anorexia nervosa is the highest-risk eating disorder, with some studies reporting mortality rates of over 10%. While those who receive treatment are at substantially lower risk while following a recommended treatment protocol, many people with anorexia remain undiagnosed until they are medically underweight and experiencing physical symptoms.
How long have we known about binge eating disorder?
Binge eating disorder patients experience episodes of eating an amount of food that is significantly larger than what most people would eat during a similar period. Many people who experience eating disorders restrict the calories they eat or engage in compensatory behaviors to account for excess calories, such as vomiting or engaging in excessive exercise. In contrast, those who experience binge eating disorder eat an excessive amount of food without compensating for the additional calories.
The unique eating behaviors of the condition were first characterized in 1959 by American psychiatrist Albert Stunkard. Binge eating disorder became an official diagnosis in 2013 with the publication of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. Today, many treatments are available to help patients manage binge eating disorder, including psychotherapy, clinical nutrition counseling, and procedures to help patients lose weight gained from binging.
How many people will develop an eating disorder in their lifetime?
According to a study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, approximately 9% of the United States adult population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder at some point during their life. The overall lifetime prevalence of eating disorders is 8.6% among women and 4.07% among men.
In what stage of life do eating disorders tend to arise?
Among the general population, evidence suggests that eating disorders are most common among children and adolescents, and nearly 95% of individuals diagnosed with an eating disorder will develop the condition before the age of 25. Adolescent medicine researchers have dedicated substantial research to eating disorders in recent decades, driven primarily by a sharp increase in eating disorders among children and adolescents since the year 2000.
Why does anorexia nervosa have the highest mortality rate?
A person dies from anorexia nervosa due to a combination of factors, all related to malnutrition. The human body undergoes substantial changes when reduced caloric intake is sustained for a long period of time. One of the major drivers of mortality is substantial variance or reduced levels of electrolytes within the body, which can lead to organ dysfunction, including fatal cardiac arrhythmias. For the most severe cases, medical professionals must carefully supervise a patient’s increase in food intake. Eating a typical amount of food after restricting calories for a long period of time can upset electrochemical balances within the body, potentially producing severe medical symptoms.
Are eating disorders on the rise or decline?
Evidence suggests that eating disorder diagnoses are on the rise globally. A recent literature review indicated that global eating disorder prevalence has increased from 3.5% to 7.8%. Researchers continue to investigate the psychological, social, and biological factors behind the increase.
Why has the prevalence of eating disorders increased over the years?
Researchers continue to investigate the substantial increase in eating disorder diagnoses that have occurred in recent decades. Organizations like the National Institutes of Health, the Eating Disorders Coalition, and the National Eating Disorders Association work together to investigate eating disorders prevention, cause, and treatment. The International Journal of Eating Disorders publishes global information and scientific advancements related to eating disorders.
The increased prevalence of eating disorders has roughly correlated with the rise of internet connectivity and social media use. Researchers theorize that increased social media use correlates with increased social comparison. Because social media tends to be highly idealized, many individuals, especially children and adolescents, may experience a distorted sense of what constitutes a healthy body shape. Body image concerns are a driving factor for most eating disorders, and social media may directly impact a young person’s acceptance of their body type.
Increased awareness of body image may contribute to increased prevalence in other ways. For example, in the past, many professionals considered eating disorders conditions that were unique to women. However, recent literature suggests that eating disorders do have a significant presence among males, notably among male athletes, who may demonstrate increased preoccupation with their body shape.
Evidence also suggests that an increase in stressful situations may increase eating disorder diagnoses. One study noted that the COVID-19 pandemic led to a direct increase in eating disorder diagnoses, likely due to the relative instability experienced by most individuals during that period. Stressful circumstances may also help explain why eating disorders are more likely among those with gender identities or sexual orientations that do not align with cultural norms. Finally, researchers continue to investigate the link between eating disorders and substance abuse, which have a strong correlation.
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