What Are Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are complex and serious mental illnesses. These conditions are often misunderstood or minimized, yet they affect people of every age, gender identity, race, body size, and background. For many, eating disorders function as coping mechanisms: providing a sense of control in chaotic environments, offering protection after trauma, or creating a feeling of structure in emotionally turbulent lives.
In the United States, it’s estimated that 28.8 million people—about 9% of the population—will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Tragically, more than 10,000 deaths each year are directly attributed to eating disorders. That’s one life lost every 52 minutes.
Understanding Different Types of Eating Disorders
While eating disorders are diverse in how they show up, a few diagnoses are more commonly known and studied.
Anorexia nervosa is perhaps the most recognized. It’s characterized by extreme food restriction, a deep fear of weight gain, and a distorted body image. Anorexia often develops during adolescence, with the median age of onset around 12 years old. It carries one of the highest mortality rates among all psychiatric conditions. One in five deaths from anorexia is due to suicide, and the overall risk of death in youth with anorexia is 12 times higher than their peers. Genetics also play a strong role—50% to 80% of the risk is believed to be inherited. Many young people with anorexia report feeling socially disconnected, which can compound feelings of isolation and worthlessness.
Bulimia nervosa involves recurring cycles of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise. Around 1.5% of women and 0.5% of men will experience bulimia in their lifetime. The condition can cause a range of physical symptoms, including painful swelling in the face from frequent purging. Roughly 10% of individuals with bulimia also struggle with substance abuse, most commonly alcohol. Sadly, less than half of those affected ever seek treatment, underscoring the importance of reducing stigma and increasing access to care.
Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder in the U.S. It’s marked by recurrent episodes of eating large quantities of food, often rapidly and to the point of discomfort, accompanied by feelings of guilt and loss of control. BED affects about 3.5% of women and 2% of men, and it often goes untreated. After bariatric surgery, many people—around 25%—report experiencing loss-of-control eating, with about 5% developing full-blown binge eating disorder. Genetics again play a role, with about half the risk of BED being inherited.
Another diagnosis, though less talked about, is Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). Unlike anorexia or bulimia, ARFID isn’t driven by body image concerns. Instead, it often stems from sensory sensitivities, fear of choking, or general disinterest in eating. ARFID is more common in children and adolescents and is seen more often in boys than girls. It frequently overlaps with other psychiatric conditions like anxiety and obsessive-compulsive traits. Preliminary studies suggest ARFID may affect as many as 5% of children, and it’s increasingly being recognized in pediatric eating disorder treatment programs.
Why Understanding Matters
Eating disorders don’t just affect how someone eats—they impact every part of a person’s life. They’re often accompanied by shame, secrecy, and stigma, which can prevent people from seeking help until the illness is severe. The reality is that these are not disorders of vanity; they are deeply rooted mental health conditions that deserve compassion, understanding, and access to proper care.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone. Recovery is not only possible—it’s real, and it starts with education, connection, and support.
Sources
National Eating Disorders Association. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics
ANAD – Eating Disorder Statistics. https://anad.org/eating-disorder-statistic/
Eating Recovery Center – Eating Disorder Statistics. https://www.eatingrecoverycenter.com/resources/eating-disorder-statistics
Arcelus J, Mitchell AJ, Wales J, Nielsen S. Mortality rates in patients with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders: A meta-analysis of 36 studies. Am J Psychiatry. 2011;168(7):724–731. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1892232/
