Anorexia nervosa affects about 0.9% of American females at some point in their lives. (23)




Bulimia nervosa affects about 1.4% of American females at some point in their lives. (23)




Over 50% of patients who present for outpatient treatment of eating disorders receive a diagnosis of eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS). EDNOS consists of combinations of eating disorder symptoms that do not quite meet the criteria for anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. (1)

About 0.3% of American males develop anorexia nervosa at some point in their lives. (23)




About 0.5% of American males develop bulimia nervosa at some point in their lives. (23)




In research conducted on a large sample, 28% of ninth-grade males reported one or more of the following to lose or control weight: fasting or skipping meals, diet pills, vomiting, laxatives or cigarette smoking. (9)




Beginning in about the third grade, boys show significantly less desire to lose weight than girls, but express dissatisfaction with the upper rather than the lower body and use dieting to achieve specific external goals rather than to aspire to a cultural norm. (2)




In a recent study of fifth graders, boys with high BMI [body mass index] and those with low BMI reported higher levels of body dissatisfaction than boys with average BMI. (3)




A team of researchers found that the physiques of male action toys have grown far more muscular over time, suggesting that unrealistic cultural expectations for shape and weight may play a role in body image disorders among men. (34)

In a recent study, three- to six-year-old girls were exposed briefly to appearance-related media images and then tested for body dissatisfaction. The results showed that the media images did not have a significant impact on how the participants viewed their bodies. The majority of the girls liked their physical appearance; yet almost one-third of them reported that they would change something about their looks and almost half of them reported that they worried about being fat. (21)




In another study, girls were tested for eating attitudes and dieting at ages 5, 7, and 9. Girls who reported high body size and shape concerns across ages 5-7 were more likely than girls without such concerns to restrict their food intake at age 9, and these associations were independent of what the girls actually weighed. (12)




Expectations regarding thinness among females are evident as early as 6 and 7 years old. (13)




Girls who present with eating disorders before they have begun to menstruate may have a long history of poor weight gain and slowed growth prior to the onset of weight loss. (39)

   Are there any statistics on adolescents with respect to eating behaviors or eating    disorders?

In a national screening program for eating disorders administered in high schools across the United States, nearly 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 10 boys reported at least one disordered eating or weight control symptom serious enough to warrant further assessment by a health professional. (4)




Disordered eating and body image issues occur in children and adolescents from diverse racial and ethnic groups. (17)




A study of 2,516 adolescents found that overweight participants tested lower in body satisfaction and in self-esteem as compared to normal-weight participants. (28)




A five-year longitudinal study revealed that adolescent girls who ate meals together with their families on a regular basis were less likely to engage in extreme weight control behaviors (self-induced vomiting and use of laxatives, diet pills or diuretics) as compared to girls with low family meal frequency. (31)




Adolescents with disordered eating may be at increased risk for using cigarettes, alcohol, inhalants, methamphetamines, and steroids. (33)

   What are the statistics regarding eating disorders and college students?

In a study of 1,899 college students, 4.5% of the women and 1.4% of the men reported previous treatment for an eating disorder. 10.9% of the women and 4.0% of the men were considered at risk for eating disorders. (22)




In a survey of 1,063 college students, 5% met criteria for probable binge eating disorder. The risk for probable binge eating disorder was four-fold greater for those who perceived themselves as overweight (regardless of whether they were overweight by objective standards) than for those who did not perceive themselves as overweight. (37)

   What causes eating disorders?

Although no one variable has been found to "cause" an eating disorder, research has discerned that certain personality characteristics, genetic disposition, environment, and biochemistry all play significant roles in the development of eating disorders. (1)




Body dissatisfaction (having a negative view of one's size or shape), weight concerns, and dieting are associated with the development of eating disorders. (24, 40)




Many people with eating disorders are perfectionistic and often excel at academics and sports. People with anorexia tend to avoid taking risks. People with bulimia often have difficulties dealing with stress and may binge and purge to try to cope with intense feelings. (25)




Studies show that anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa run in families. (5, 7, 11, 25, 45)




Studies are underway to identify the specific genes that may increase the risk of developing an eating disorder. (16, 20, 25, 29, 36, 38)




Increasing evidence points to alterations in central nervous system pathways as contributing to eating disorders. Many people with these illnesses have disturbances in brain serotonin, a neurotransmitter, which helps regulate appetite and mood. (20, 25, 36, 38)

   What are the best treatments for eating disorders?

Eating disorders are most successfully treated when diagnosed early. The longer abnormal eating behaviors persist, the more difficult it is to overcome the disorder and its effects on the body. (1)




Once the eating disorder is diagnosed, the clinician can assess whether hospitalization is necessary or if the person can be treated as an outpatient. (1)




Conditions warranting hospitalization include the following: (1)       ~   excessive and rapid weight loss       ~   serious metabolic disturbances       ~   clinical depression       ~   risk of suicide       ~   severe binge eating and purging       ~   psychosis




Many treatment plans are comprehensive due to the complex interaction of emotional and psychological problems in eating disorders. (1, 30)




Treatment often involves a combination of interventions including: (1)       ~   medical monitoring       ~   individual, group, and/or family psychotherapy       ~   nutritional counseling       ~   cognitive therapy       ~   behavioral therapy       ~   antidepressant medication




Ongoing emotional support is necessary for the individual, as recovery is a long process and relapse is common. (1)

   What are the recovery rates for those with eating disorders?

Approximately half of those with anorexia or bulimia have a full recovery, approximately 30% have a partial recovery, and 20% have no substantial improvement in symptoms. (1, 25, 26)

   Can eating disorders cause death?

The mortality rate associated with anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the mortality rate among young women in the general population. (10, 27)

   Are there any statistics about eating disorders and the effects of the media?

A study of seventh and tenth graders revealed a decrease in body satisfaction and an increase in depression associated with viewing magazine images of idealized females. (14)




Another study showed that two of the most common adolescent dieting methods—restricting calories and taking diet pills – were associated with the reading of women's beauty and fashion magazines. (42)




Research on Fijian schoolgirls found that a dramatic increase in eating disorders symptoms was tied to the introduction of television to this area, despite a traditional culture that had previously protected girls from developing these disorders. (6)




A large study found that frequent reading of magazine articles about dieting/weight loss predicted unhealthy weight-control behaviors in adolescent girls five years later. (43)

What is muscle dysmorphia?

Muscle dysmorphia is a psychiatric disorder characterized by preoccupation with the size of one’s muscles. This condition typically begins in adolescence or young adulthood and is more common in males. Individuals with muscle dysmorphia perceive themselves as too small and “skinny,” even though – by objective standards – they are often above average in muscularity. Many are bodybuilders who take the pursuit of muscularity to an extreme, spending inordinate amounts of time at the gym and adhering to a meal plan that is unusually high in protein. Their obsession with gaining muscle rules their lives, often at the expense of school, work and social activities. (35)




Many individuals with muscle dysmorphia also suffer from depression and anxiety disorders. (8)




Some males with muscle dysmorphia use anabolic steroids, which enhance muscularity but are addictive and may adversely affect the heart, liver and reproductive system. Anabolic steroids can also lead to mood changes and aggression. (35)