Athletes Eating Disorder Statistics
- Athletes report higher rates of excessive exercise than nonathletes.14
- Athletes are more likely to screen positive for an eating disorder than nonathletes, but percentages across all probable eating disorder diagnoses are similar.14
- Athletes may be less likely to seek treatment for an eating disorder due to stigma, accessibility, and sportspecific barriers.14
How Many People Receive Treatment For An Eating Disorder
- Only 1 in 10 people with eating disorders receive treatment. According to eating disorders statistics, about 80% of the girls/women who have accessed care for their eating disorders do not get the intensity of treatment they need to stay inrecovery .
- Treatment of an eating disorder in the US ranges from $500 per day to $2,800 per day. The average cost for a month of inpatient treatment is $30,000,and it is estimated that individuals with eating disorders need anywhere from 3 to6 months of inpatient care.
Body Image And Dieting
- Roughly 25 million men and 43 million women are dieting to lose weight. Another 21 million men and 26 million women are dieting to maintain weight. In total, there are nearly 116 million adults dieting at any given time ârepresenting about 55% of the total adult population.
- 91% of women surveyed on a college campus in the mid-90s had attempted to control their weight through dieting. 22% dieted “often” or “always.”
- 35% of “normal dieters” progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20-25% progress to partial or full-syndrome eating disorders.
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General Eating Disorder Statistics
- Eating disorders affect at least 9% of the population worldwide.1
- 9% of the U.S. population, or 28.8 million Americans, will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.2
- Less than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically diagnosed as underweight.1
- 28-74% of risk for eating disorders is through genetic heritability.1
- Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental illnesses, second only to opioid overdose.1
- 10,200 deaths each year are the direct result of an eating disorderthats one death every 52 minutes.2
- About 26% of people with eating disorders attempt suicide.1
- The economic cost of eating disorders is $64.7 billion every year.2
What Does The Research Show
A report written by Deloitte Access Economics for the Butterfly Foundation estimated that there were 913,986 people in Australia with eating disorders in 2012. Thats 4% of the population. The report estimated that 1,829 people died from eating disorders in Australia in 2012.
A number of international reviews and meta-analyses comparing mortality rates of psychiatric disorders show that substance use disorders and eating disorders have the highest risk of death.
The most recent meta-review, published in 2014, summarised data and findings from research of over 1.7 million patients. The authors estimated that the mortality risk is higher for opioid use, cocaine use, and amphetamine use than for anorexia nervosa. The authors said that:
All disorders had an increased risk of all-cause mortality compared with the general population, and many had mortality risks larger than or comparable to heavy smoking. Those with the highest all-cause mortality ratios were substance use disorders and anorexia nervosa.
A systematic review published by British researchers in 1998 compared the mortality rates of 27 mental disorders. It also found that eating disorders had among the highest risks of premature death among both genders, but prescription and legal drug abuse, opioid abuse were higher in some analyses.
A 1995 meta-analysis of 42 studies of eating disorder case reports noted that:
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New Canadian Study Confirms The Excess Mortality Associated With Eating Disorders
As with most mental health conditions, the sooner therapeutic interventions are delivered, the better the outcome for the individual. Eating disorders affect around 9% of individuals worldwide . This number could be higher, accounting for undiagnosed or more mild disordered eating troubles.
Though undoubtedly a highly stigmatised diagnosis, EDs are far more common, leading to far higher mortality rates than you or I may think. In reality, evidence suggests that EDs have the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric disorders . Furthermore, it is estimated that around 25% of individuals battling anorexia nervosa are male, yet are often not taken seriously until much later, increasing the risk of harm . Research has highlighted the limitations of the current literature on the topic, citing a limited scope, a large focus on female participants, and aetiology , among others, to be the issue.
Iwajomo et al. recently conducted a retrospective population-based cohort study of people living in Ontario, Canada, which focused on the excess mortality associated with EDs. While the study design is certainly a mouthful, it is vital for such research to take place to limit methodological biases and increase the accuracy of information. The retrospective aspect of the research utilised healthcare data to form and analyse the cohort, which comprised around 19,000 individuals, starting from January 1st, 1990, to December 31st, 2013.
Essential Eating Disorder Statistics
Before I jump into specific statistics relevant to the three primary eating disorders, I first want to cover some essential statistics related to eating disorders and eating disorder behaviors in general.
These are some pretty eye-opening statistics straight off the bat.
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People With Disabilities Eating Disorder Statistics
- Women with physical disabilities are more likely to develop eating disorders.9
- 20-30% of adults with eating disorders also have autism.10
- 3-10% of children and young people with eating disorders also have autism.10
- 20% of women with anorexia have high levels of autistic traits. There is some evidence that these women benefit the least from current eating disorder treatment models.10
- ADHD is the most commonly missed diagnosis in relation to disordered eating.11
What Is The Lifetime Prevalence Of Bulimia Nervosa
The lifetime prevalence of bulimia nervosa is estimated to be around 1.21% for men and 2.59% for women56Bagaric, M., Touyz, S., Heriseanu, A., Conti, J., & Hay, P. . Are bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder increasing? Results of a populationbased study of lifetime prevalence and lifetime prevalence by age in South Australia. European Eating Disorders Review, 28, 260-268.
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Causes Of Eating Disorder Deaths
Eating disorders cause a number of medical problems. No system of the body is immune to the effects of malnutrition. As for causes of death, suicide and cardiovascular complications top the list.
In the previously referenced study by Fichter and colleagues, three-quarters of the deaths for patients with an anorexia nervosa diagnosis were due to cardiovascular complications related to low body weight. A study by Huas and colleagues found that there are two main predictors of death for individuals with bulimia nervosa: a history of prior suicide attempts and a lower minimum BMI.
Across a number of studies, suicide is a common cause of death, and an elevated suicide rate is found amongst all eating disorder diagnoses.
Studies have shown that approximately 20% of the individuals with anorexia who had died had committed suicide, and 23% of the bulimia nervosa deaths were from suicide.
The Symptoms And Underlying Disorders
Most eating disorder experts agree that restoring body weight is vital for the effective treatment of anorexia nervosa. Without refeeding the body, it is difficult for psychotherapy to be effective due to cognitive deficits from malnutrition.
Eating disorders involve:
- Personality disorders
- Even self-harm issues
These comorbid conditions can further complicate treatment and the ability of the patient to make progress toward recovery. Support systems, access to care, and reduction of triggering factors involved with anorexia nervosa are also vital for a patient to make progress versus spiraling into life-threatening situations and complications.
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How Many People In The Uk Have An Eating Disorder
We believe approximately 1.25 million people in the UK have an eating disorder. Around 25% of those affected by an eating disorder are male.
Recent research from the NHS information centre showed that up to 6.4% of adults displayed signs of an eating disorder .
The Health and Care Information Centre published figures in February 2014 showed an 8% rise in the number of inpatient hospital admissions in the 12 months previous to October 2013. The Costs of Eating Disorders report found that this is indicative of the trend in increasing prevalence over time: a 34% increase in admissions since 2005-06 – approximately 7% each year.
How Long Do Eating Disorders Last
Research carried out in Australia suggests that the average duration of anorexia is eight years and five years for bulimia. However, these illnesses can also become severe and enduring, lasting for many years and having a hugely debilitating effect on the sufferers and their families. The sooner someone gets the treatment they need, the more likely they are to make a full recovery.
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Eating Disorders And Athletes
- Disordered eating can occur in any athlete, in any sport, at any time, crossing boundaries of gender, age, body size, culture, socioeconomic background, athletic calibre and ability .
- Overall, there is a higher prevalence of disordered eating and eating disorders in athletes compared to non-athletes .
- It is estimated that up to 45% of females and up to 19% of male athletes experience disordered eating and/or an eating disorder .
- Research shows that people who engage in aesthetic, gravitational and weight-class sports such asweight-lifting, boxing, horse racing, rowing, gymnastics, swimming, figure skating and danceare at higher risk of disordered eating and/or an eating disorder .
Statistical Methods And Measurement Caveats
This webpage presents data from the following sources.
National Comorbidity Survey Replication
Diagnostic Assessment and Population:
- The NCS-R is a nationally representative, face-to-face, household survey conducted between February 2001 and April 2003 with a response rate of 70.9%. DSM-IV mental disorders were assessed using a modified version of the fully structured World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview , a fully structured lay-administered diagnostic interview that generates both International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, and DSM-IV diagnoses. The DSM-IV criteria were used here. Participants for the main interview totaled 9,282 English-speaking, non-institutionalized, civilian respondents. Eating disorders were assessed in a subsample of 2,980 respondents. The Sheehan Disability Scales assessed disability in work role performance, household maintenance, social life, and intimate relationships on 010 scales. The NCS-R was led by Harvard University.
Survey Non-response:
- In 2001-2002, non-response was 29.1% of primary respondents and 19.6% of secondary respondents. Reasons for non-response to interviewing include: refusal to participate respondent was reluctant- too busy but did not refuse circumstantial, such as intellectual developmental disability or overseas work assignment and household units that were never contacted .
- For more information, see PMID: 15297905 and the NIMH NCS-R study page.
Survey Non-response:
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Eating Disorders And Economic Impact
- In 2012, the total social and economic cost of eating disorders in Australia was estimated at $69.7 billion . Direct financial costs total $17.1 million and the burden of disease costs are $52.6 million .
- Eating disorders are one of the 12 leading causes of hospitalisation costs due to mental health issues in Australia .
- Eating disorders are among the leading causes of burden of disease and injury in young females in Australia .
- The in-patient expense, in the private hospital sector, of treating a single episode of Anorexia Nervosa has been reported to be the second most costly condition . .
Eating Disorder Treatment And Recovery
- It is estimated that 75% of people with an eating disorder dont seek professional help .
- The reasons/ barriers for not accessing treatment include stigma, shame, denial, failure to perceive the severity of the illness, cost of treatment, low motivation to change, lack of encouragement and lack of knowledge about how to access help resources .
- The most effective treatment for eating disorder is person-centred care, tailored to suit the individuals illness, situation and needs .
- The average time taken to recover from all types of eating disorders, after seeking treatment, is 1-6 years .
- When skilled and knowledgeable health professionals deliver treatment, full recovery and good quality of life can be achieved for the majority of people with eating disorders .
Treatment for eating disorders
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Do Eating Disorders Run In Families
Eating disorders are complex with no one sole cause, but we know from research that individuals might be predisposed due to their genetic or biological make up.
Some research has found that female relatives of anorexia sufferers were 11.4 times more likely to suffer from anorexia compared to relatives of unaffected participants. For female relatives of those with bulimia, the likelihood of developing bulimia was 3.7 times that of those with unaffected relatives.
It is not yet clear how much of this link between family members is genetic and how much is due to environmental factors.
Anorexia Affects All Genders But Not Equally
While gender is not always a factor, research has shown that women and young girls are much more likely to develop an eating disorder than their male counterparts. Almost 10 percent of all women in the country will suffer from anorexia at some point in their lifetime. The odds for males developing anorexia is a third of that, with only 10 percent of all anorexia sufferers male.
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Prevalence Of Eating Disorders In Adolescents
- Based on diagnostic interview data from National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement , Figure 3 shows the lifetime prevalence of eating disorders among U.S. adolescents aged 13 to 18 years.2
- The lifetime prevalence of eating disorders was 2.7%.
- Eating disorders were more than twice as prevalent among females than males .
- Prevalence increased modestly with age.
- In the NCS-A, eating disorders included anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
Figure 3
| Demographic |
|---|
How Devastating Are Eating Disorders
Anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder, from medical complications associated with the illness as well as suicide. Bulimia is associated with severe medical complications, and binge eating disorder sufferers often experience the medical complications associated with obesity. In every case, eating disorders severely affect the quality of life of the sufferer and those that care for them.
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Is It Possible To Recover From An Eating Disorder
Yes. We are lucky enough to work with some very inspirational people and we hear some very uplifting stories of recovery. Research suggests that around 46% of anorexia patients fully recover, a 33% improving and 20% remaining chronically ill. Similar research into bulimia suggests that 45% make a full recovery, 27% improve considerably and 23% suffer chronically.
Why Anorexia Gets Overlooked
Considering its devastating impact on physicaland mental health, you might expect healthcare professionals to be vigilantabout early diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, this isnt the case.
Part of the reason why eating disorders, suchas anorexia, are so deadly is that they arent always taken seriously. Theseconditions are often dismissed as insignificant. Family members and loved onesmay think the person struggling is just going through a phase and will snapout of it. But eating disorders are deeply complex conditions that rarely justgo away.
In the healthcare arena, a lack of training about eating disorders is contributing to too many avoidable deaths, according to a 2019 report in BMJ. In this paper, experts reveal that training on these deadly conditions is limited to just a few hours. This needs to change.
Another pressing issue lies in the fact thatbecause most healthcare and psychiatric care providers dont look at the brain,they cant always effectively diagnose and treat co-occurring mental healthconditions. And they often take a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment,which will never work because eating disorders and mental health conditionsarent single or simple disorders.
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What Are People With Eating Disorders Dying From
Deaths associated with eating disorders are typically caused by medical complications , suicide or complications relating to substance use.
A United States study reported on the causes of death in a group of eating disorder patients between 1979 and 1997. Of the 52 deceased patients, 20 died from medical causes, 13 died from suicide, 10 died from causes related to substance use, and nine died from traumatic causes . Examples of deaths from medical causes include acute alcohol intoxication, cardiorespiratory issues, issues with the liver and other major organs, and pneumonia.
Although high rates of mortality are reported for eating disorder patients, there are a large proportion of people with these conditions who go on to engage in successful treatment, and recover. Inpatient or outpatient treatment usually involves a combination of nutritional management, psychotherapy, and medication.
Get Treatment For Anorexia Today
Teen treatment has been proven effective and may be the key to altering the mortality rate of this illness. A well-rounded approach can teach teens healthier habits and behaviors. In conclusion, we need to stop this disorder from reaching further into the minds of teens. Contact Newport Academy today for more information on treating anorexia nervosa.
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