EATING DISORDER FACTS

Eating Disorders:

• 30 million people, if not more, in the U.S. struggle with some form of an eating disorder.
• 23 people die a day from the health consequences of an eating disorder.
• Eating disorders, specifically anorexia, have the second highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
• Eating disorders do not discriminate. They affect all races and ethnic groups.
• 30-50% of people suffering from an eating disorder also struggle with a mood disorder, such as depression.
• Over 50% of teenage girls and 33% of teenage boys skip meals, fast, vomit, and take laxatives to lose weight.
• 46% of 9-11 year olds are on diets.

Anorexia: 

• 4.2% of women have suffered from anorexia at one point in their life.
• .3% of men will suffer from anorexia
• An estimated 4% of people suffering from anorexia die from complications.
• Only 1/3 of people suffering from anorexia will seek treatment for the disorder.
• 50% of anorexia patients have anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and social phobia.

Bulimia:

• 4% of women in the U.S. will struggle with bulimia in their lifetime.
• .5% of men will suffer from bulimia.
• 1 out of 10 bulimia patients also suffer from substance abuse, usually alcohol.
• 9% of bulimic individuals will die.
• Only 6% of people struggling with bulimia will seek treatment.
• 25% of college aged women binge and purge for weight management.

Binge Eating Disorders: 

• 3% of the people in the U.S. will struggle with binge eating disorder and 43% of them will seek treatment.
• 2% of men will suffer from binge eating disorder
• 1 out of 10 binge eating disorder patients also suffer from substance abuse, usually alcohol.