Eating disorders in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts

Eating disorders negatively impact a person’s body weight or shape and are collectively among the deadliest mental illnesses. The most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Anorexia is characterized by an extreme fear of gaining weight that results in food restriction or excessive exercise. Bulimia, on the other hand, is defined by periods of overeating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as forced vomiting or exercising too much. Similarly, binge eating disorder involves regularly overeating and feeling unable to stop. In contrast to bulimia, binge eating disorder does not involve compensatory behaviors but rather a sense of guilt, shame, and disgust at having lost control.

Eating disorders are a global issue

In 2019, the percentage of the population worldwide that suffered from eating disorders was estimated to be around 0.18 percent. Although eating disorders can develop at any age, they most often manifest in teens and young adults. Furthermore, although both males and females can develop eating disorders, they are much more common among females. Estimates comparing the share of the population worldwide with an eating disorder by gender show that females are around twice as likely to have an eating disorder than males.

How common are eating disorders in the United States?

It was estimated in 2018-2019 that the most prevalent eating disorder in the United States was binge eating disorder. During that time, around two million people in the United States were believed to be suffering from binge eating disorder, while 622,000 had bulimia nervosa and 408,000 anorexia nervosa. Eating disorders in the United States are most prevalent among females aged 20 to 29 years, with around 5.79 percent of this population estimated to be suffering from some type of eating disorder. Depending on the severity, eating disorders can lead to various mental and physical problems, including cardiovascular complications, kidney failure, depression, and suicide. When grouped together, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses, with suicide accounting for a large share of such deaths. In 2018-2019, the total number of deaths in the United States due to eating disorders was estimated to be around 10,200.

The economic cost of eating disorders in the United States

In addition to having the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses, eating disorders also have a significant economic impact. It was estimated in 2018-2019 that total costs associated with eating disorders in the U.S. were around 64.7 billion U.S. dollars, with productivity losses accounting for the vast majority of such costs. The health system costs of eating disorders in the U.S. mostly result from primary and outpatient care, with binge eating disorder accounting for the highest costs to the health system. In 2018-2019, health system costs associated with binge eating disorder alone were calculated to be around 1.2 billion U.S. dollars. The National Institutes of Health estimate that research funding for eating disorders in the United States will be approximately 61 million U.S. dollars in 2024.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Jan 8, 2024

Key insights

Prevalence of eating disorders in the United States
1.66%
Total number of deaths in the United States due to anorexia in 2018-2019
2,680
Total productivity loss costs due to eating disorders in the United States (in billion U.S. dollars)
48.6bn USD
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Projected number of individuals in the United States with eating disorders from 2018 to 2030, by condition (in thousands)

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Projected number of people in the U.S. with eating disorders 2018-2030, by condition

Total anorexia funding by the National Institutes for Health (NIH) from FY 2008 to FY 2024 (in million U.S. dollars)

Industry & Market

Research funding for anorexia by the U.S. NIH 2008-2024

Total costs associated with eating disorders in the United States from 2018 to 2019, by type (in billion U.S. dollars)

Health Economics

Total costs associated with eating disorders in the U.S. from 2018 to 2019, by type

Related topics

Recommended

5

Recommended statistics

Worldwide overview

5

Worldwide overview

U.S. overview

8

U.S. overview

Eating disorders among females

5

Eating disorders among females

Eating disorders among males

5

Eating disorders among males

Deaths

4

Deaths

Costs

7

Costs

Miscellaneous

5

Miscellaneous

Further reportsGet the best reports to understand your industry

Mental health issues in the U.S.
Mental health issues in the U.S.
Suicide in the U.S.
Suicide in the U.S.
Depression in the U.S.
Depression in the U.S.
Anxiety in the U.S.
Anxiety in the U.S.
Mental health worldwide
Mental health worldwide

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
Statista Locations
Contact Meredith Alda
Meredith Alda
Sales Manager– Contact (United States)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Contact Yolanda Mega
Yolanda Mega
Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Contact Kisara Mizuno
Kisara Mizuno
Senior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Contact Lodovica Biagi
Lodovica Biagi
Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)
Email
eu.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Contact Carolina Dulin
Carolina Dulin
Group Director - LATAM– Contact (Latin America)
Email
latam@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Menu