Statistics for eating disorders

Responsible for more loss of life than any other form of psychological illness, eating disorders are now more common than ever before. Indeed, over the last 30-40 years, instances of eating disorders have increased to become a widespread problem. B-eat (formerly the Eating Disorders Association) estimate that there are over 1.6 million people suffering from diagnosed or undiagnosed eating disorders throughout the UK.

Whilst many have been diagnosed and are receiving treatment, many more remain undiagnosed and at risk. The deniability, secrecy and stigma associated with eating disorders will stop many seeking help, and prevent others taking responsibilty to help a sufferer.

Who do eating disorders affect?

Anyone can develop an eating disorder, regardless of age, sex, cultural or racial background, although the people most likely to be affected tend to be young women, particularly between the ages of 12-25. It is not unusual, however, for an eating disorder to appear in middle age.

Some useful statistics

1.6 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UK ARE AFFECTED (1)
20% BECOME SERIOUSLY ILL (1)
14-25 YEAR OLDS ARE MOST AT RISK (1)

ANOREXIA NERVOSA

1 in 100 women aged between 15 and 30, suffers from anorexia (2)
40% of people with anorexia recover completely (4)
30% of anorexia sufferers continue to experience the illness long-term and suffer physical effects (4)

BULIMIA NERVOSA

Up to 18 new cases per 100,000 population per year (1)
5 fold increase in the incidence of Bulimia Nervosa 1988 -1993 (3)

BINGE EATING

10-15% of mildly obese people enrolled in weight loss programmes have binge-eating disorder. 60% of sufferers are thought to be women, while 40% are thought to be men (7)

EATING DISORDER NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED (EDNOS)

This is the description used for an eating disorder that has some characteristics of anorexia or bulimia (or both).
4-6% of the general population develop an EDNOS (5)
50% of individuals who present for treatment of an eating disorder receive the diagnosis of EDNOS (5)

OBESITY (BMI > 30)

46% of men and 32% of women are overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m2) (6)
17% of men and 21% of women are clinically obese (BMI >30 kg/m2) (6)
Obesity has trebled from 1990 to 2001(6)

CHILDRENS STATISTICS

1 % of children felt they could talk to their parents about their eating-related concerns
9 % of children felt they might be able to talk to someone at school
17 % of children felt they might be able to talk to a doctor or nurse
92 % of children felt they couldn't tell anyone
(1)

References

(1) Published data from Beat (Eating Disorders Association UK)
(2) MIND
(3) Turnball et al 1996
(4) The Royal College of Psychiatrists
(5) National Eating Disorders Association of the US
(6) UK National Statistics
(7) NICE Guidelines: Eating disorders - Core interventions in the treatment and management of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and related eating disorders