Anorexia Facts and Statistics
Anorexia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening eating disorder characterized by self-starvation, excessive weight loss and negative body image. Anorexia sufferers generally view themselves as overweight, even if they’re dangerously underweight. They tend to constantly monitor their weight, avoid eating certain types of foods and severely restrict their calories.
Although anorexia sufferers are mostly women, studies reveal that anorexia doesn’t discriminate, impacting men, adolescents and children too. Anorexia impacts people of all ethnicities, cultures and socioeconomic groups. It is also deadly, carrying a higher mortality rate than any other mental illness. For these reasons, it is important to understand some of the facts and statistics surrounding anorexia.
Did you know …?
- Anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents
- The average age of onset for an eating disorder is 11-13 years old
- 5-10 million women and girls suffer from anorexia and/or bulimia in the United States
- Approximately one million men and boys suffer from anorexia and/or bulimia in the United States
- 86% of people with eating disorders report that the onset occurred before they reached the age of 20
- Approximately 80% of women would like to lose weight
- 50% of girls between the ages of 13 and 15 believe that they are overweight
- 80% of 13-year-old girls have dieted or attempted to lose weight
- 20% of individuals who suffer from anorexia and do not receive treatment will die
- The mortality rate due to anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate for all other causes of death in females from 15 to 24 years old
- Anorexia Nervosa has the highest death rate of any mental illness
- Only 1 in 10 people with eating disorder will receive treatment
- 1-5% of female adolescents and young women are anorexic
- 33 to 50 percent of anorexia patients have a comorbid mood disorder, such as depression. Mood disorders are more common in the binge/purge subtype than in the restrictive subtype.
- About half of anorexia patients have comorbid anxiety disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder and social phobia.
These statistics are shocking. Many don’t realize how prevalent this potentially deadly eating disorder is. But the stats also offer hope—With treatment, anorexia sufferers can experience a full recovery in which they have a life free of eating disorder thoughts and behaviors.
What About Treatment?
As the facts and statistics above reveal, only about 1 in 10 people with eating disorders receive treatment and show that 20% of people with anorexia who don’t get treatment will die. Here’s another truth—some 80% of those who do get treatment don’t get enough of it.
If you or someone you love has an eating disorder, seek help from a healthcare practitioner that specializes in eating disorders. Don’t know where to turn? We can help.
Complete recovery from anorexia is possible. Early treatment offers your greatest chance at success.
At Honey Lake Clinic, our experienced staff, licensed therapists, psychologists, and psychiatric specialists understand that effective treatment for anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders requires a multifaceted, faith-based approach, involving healing of the body, mind, and spirit. Our unique treatment programs specifically and deeply address all three spheres, offering each client his or her greatest chance at wholeness and transformative growth.
This holistic approach and a combination of key factors makes our mental health program at Honey Lake Clinic different from the others in the country.
You’ll benefit from Honey Lake’s—
- Integration of a Bible-based approach and sound psychological principles
- Experienced, compassionate, and highly trained clinical staff
- Individualized treatment with a low caseload of patients per therapist
- Practical curriculum focused on decision-making mechanics and skills
- Emphasis on holistic healing of the mind, body, and spirit
