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Eating Disorder Statistics

Eating Disorders are an area of mental health that are slowly coming more into the public awareness and research space.

Some of the statistics Cielo House has collected about Eating Disorders to date show just how serious these conditions are, and show us that we need to continue treating and learning from those who struggle with eating disorders.

General Statistics

  • An estimated 30 million people Americans of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder.
  • Every hour someone dies as a direct result from an eating disorder.
  • Eating disorders carry the highest mortality rate of ANY mental illness.
  • The death rate of anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate of ALL cause of death for females 15-24 years old. 
  • For individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in their twenties, there is an 18 times greater risk of death than other individuals in their twenties.
  • 1 in 5 deaths from eating disorders are the result of suicide.
  • Eating Disorders are the 3rd most common chronic illness among adolescents, following obesity and asthma.
  • It is estimated that 10-25% of people struggling with anorexia and bulimia are males and many professionals believe this figure is underreported.
  • 16% of transgender college students reported having an eating disorder.
  • Eating disorders affect all races and ethnic groups. 
  • Eating disorders are problems that are largely stigmatized, misunderstood and undertreated 
  • Eating disorders are complicated conditions, with genetics and personality traits all being risk factors for the development of an eating disorder.
Anorexia Nervosa
  • 1 percent of American women suffer from anorexia in their lifetime.
  • 1 in 5 anorexia deaths are by suicide.
  • 33-50% of patients with anorexia also struggle with a co-occurring mood disorder, such as depression.
  • 50% of patients with anorexia also struggle with a co-occurring anxiety disorder, such as obsessive-compulsive and social anxiety disorder.
Bulimia Nervosa
  • 5% of American women will suffer from bulimia nervosa at some point in their lifetime.
  • Nearly 1 in 10 patients with bulimia also struggle with a co-occurring substance abuse disorder, such as alcohol abuse disorder.
    Binge Eating Disorder
    • 8% of American adults will suffer from binge eating disorder at some point in their lifetime.
    • About  50% of the risk for binge eating disorder is genetically based.
    • Nearly 50% of patients also struggle with co-occurring mood disorder.
      Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)
      • OSFED was previously called Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) in the DSM-IV.
      • OSFED diagnoses include atypical anorexia nervosa (which is anorexia without the low body weight criteria, bulimia or binge eating disorder with a lower frequency of behaviors but still clinically significant, purging disorder, and night eating syndrome.
      • Nearly 50% of patients with EDNOS also struggle with a co-occurring mood disorder.
      • Nearly 1 in 10 patients with EDNOS also struggle with a co-occurring substance abuse disorder.
        Research Statistics About Eating Disorder Treatment
        • Individuals who seek treatment at a younger age OR at an earlier stage of the illness have better treatment outcomes.
        • Individuals who have higher motivation to recover have better treatment outcome.
        • Symptom reduction early in treatment is associated with improved long-term treatment outcomes.