Eating Disorders

The term eating disorders refers to a variety of disorders. The common feature of all the eating disorders is abnormal eating behaviors. Eating disorders are serious mental health problems and can be life threatening.

Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are common eating disorders among adolescents and young adults. Obesity may also be included as an eating disorder and can affect individuals of all ages, including children, adolescents, and adults.

Facts About Eating Disorders

In their lifetime, an estimated 0.5 percent to 3.7 percent of females suffer from anorexia and an estimated 1.1 percent to 4.2 percent suffer from bulimia.

Anorexia is much more common among females, however, males account for between 4 and 10 percent of adolescents diagnosed with eating disorders.

Among adolescents with eating disorders, 20 to 40 percent also have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).