How Prevalent Are Eating Disorders Like Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder?
by Dr. Marianne Miller, LMFT, offering Eating Disorder Therapy in San Diego, and throughout California, Texas, and Washington DC
Whether you or a loved one struggles with an eating disorder in California, Texas, New York, England, Canada, or elsewhere, it’s important to realize that eating disorders are often misunderstood and shrouded in stigma. That said, eating disorders are far more common than many realize. Let’s explore how prevalent eating disorders like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder (BED) truly are, why it matters, and how we can foster understanding and create change.
A Look at the Numbers
According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD), at least 28.8 million Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. Globally, the numbers are equally staggering, affecting individuals of all genders, races, ethnicities, religions, body sizes, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Persistent stereotypes fail to capture the complexity of these conditions, which are not merely about weight loss or body image but are influenced by biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
Understanding the Conditions
Anorexia Nervosa
Although anorexia may be less common than other eating disorders, it remains profoundly serious. Globally, anorexia affects about 1% of women and 0.3% of men during their lifetimes and has the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition. The dangers extend beyond physical complications, with individuals experiencing a significantly increased risk of suicide—18 times higher than those without an eating disorder. Early intervention is critical to saving lives.
Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia is slightly more prevalent, affecting 1-2% of women and 0.5% of men. Often misunderstood, bulimia doesn’t always align with stereotypical assumptions about eating disorders. Many individuals maintain typical weight ranges, leading to their struggles being overlooked by healthcare providers and loved ones. The hallmark of bulimia is a cycle of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors, such as purging, excessive exercise, or fasting, which can have devastating emotional and physical consequences.
Binge Eating Disorder (BED)
BED is the most common eating disorder, affecting 3.5% of women, 2% of men, and 1.6% of adolescents in the United States. Characterized by episodes of consuming large quantities of food in a short time, BED is often accompanied by feelings of loss of control and intense shame. Unlike anorexia or bulimia, individuals with BED do not engage in compensatory behaviors, making it frequently underdiagnosed despite being more prevalent than both anorexia and bulimia combined.
Beyond Diagnoses: The Overlooked and Underserved
Many individuals experience disordered eating or subclinical eating disorders that don’t meet diagnostic criteria but are still deeply harmful. Additionally, eating disorders often go undiagnosed in marginalized communities:
Fat Individuals: Weight stigma frequently leads to the dismissal of eating disorder symptoms in larger-bodied individuals. Researchers have shown that only 2% of college students meeting eating disorder criteria were considered “underweight.” Fat individuals are also at higher risk of using disordered weight control behaviors.
BIPOC Communities: Black, Indigenous, and other people of color experience eating disorders at rates comparable to or higher than white populations but face significant barriers to diagnosis and treatment. Feeling overlooked and unseen may be a common experience among BIPOC individuals. Medical providers are less likely to assess them for eating disorders than their white counterparts.
LGBTQIA+ Individuals: Unique stressors, as well as systemic oppression and marginalization, place LGBTQIA+ humans at greater risk for eating disorders, yet they often encounter hurdles in receiving affirming, culturally competent care. Transgender individuals may not have access to medical care and hormone medication they need to survive, which can exacerbate eating disorder behaviors, at the very least.
Men: Up to 25% of people with eating disorders are men, but they’re less likely to be diagnosed or treated because of stereotypes framing eating disorders as “a woman’s problem.” As a result, men often present with more severe cases by the time they do seek treatment.
Why Prevalence of Eating Disorders Matters
Understanding the prevalence of eating disorders helps dispel harmful myths and fosters empathy. Eating disorders are not rare; they’re pervasive and affect individuals from every walk of life. They’re not a choice or a sign of weakness; they are serious mental health conditions requiring compassion and evidence-based care.
Creating Change
Awareness is the first step toward change. Here’s how we can make a difference:
Support Organizations: Advocate for accessible treatment and support initiatives. Look into organizations like ANAD, NEDA, F.E.A.S.T., and ASDAH and see how you can support their work.
Mindful Conversations: Reflect on how we talk about food, bodies, and weight in daily life. Learn to think critically about such conversations—especially discourse in social media, as well as what you consume in social and mainstream media.
Challenge Diet Culture: Recognize and resist harmful societal pressures around appearance and eating. Acknowledge how the “thin ideal” damages people from all walks of life. Spread the message on how ditching diet culture can save lives.
Push for Systemic Change: Advocate for policies that provide equitable recovery resources for all. Stand firm with medical providers when they do not accommodate or even acknowledge eating disorders in fat, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and other historically oppressed and marginalized groups.
You Deserve Eating Disorder Support
If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, know that help is available. Eating disorder therapy, coaching, and community support can be transformative. Recovery is possible, and there is no shame in seeking help. You deserve compassion, understanding, and care as you navigate this journey.
Transform Your Relationship with Food: Work with Me in Recovery
If you’re ready to take the first step toward binge eating recovery, there are several ways to get started:
Binge Eating and Bulimia Support Options
🌟 Binge Eating Recovery Membership
Join my Binge Eating Recovery Membership, a comprehensive online program combining an in-depth binge eating class with email support. Designed for high achievers looking to gain balance with food, this membership provides education, mindset shifts, and private group support to help you make meaningful changes.
🌟 Elite Binge Eating Recovery Method
Commit to transformation with my Elite Binge Eating Recovery Method. This 3-month program offers virtual binge eating education paired with live coaching to help you stop distressed eating patterns like binge eating or binge/purge behaviors. This method is ideal for students, professionals, athletes, and high performers who want a sustainable approach to recovery.
🌟 Masterclasses for Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder
I offer masterclasses tailored for individuals in London, England, the UK, Ontario, Canada, and the U.S. These sessions are designed to help you navigate recovery with actionable strategies and tools.
Work with an Eating Recovery Coach and Therapist
For deeper support, ensure your eating recovery coach has specialized training in eating disorders and is equipped to identify underlying mental health issues. As both an eating disorder therapist and recovery coach, I collaborate with other professionals to provide comprehensive care tailored to your needs.
Additional Resources for Your Recovery Journey
🎧 Dr. Marianne-Land: An Eating Disorder Recovery Podcast
Listen to my podcast on Apple or Spotify for insights and interviews on topics like bulimia, ARFID, binge eating disorder, anorexia, neurodiversity, and mental health.
📱 Follow Me on Instagram
Subscribe to @drmariannemiller for daily reels, posts, and updates on bulimia, binge eating disorder, anorexia, and ARFID recovery.
Disclaimers:
The Binge Eating Recovery Membership and Elite Binge Eating Recovery Method are coaching programs focused on education, behavioral changes, and mindset shifts. They are not clinical therapy or treatment programs.