The prevalence of anorexia and bulimia among different age groups.
Eating disorders are more common than most people realize. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 24 million Americans suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives.1 And, while eating disorders can occur in people of all ages, they are most common among adolescents and young adults.2
Anorexia nervosa, sometimes called simply “anorexia,” is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss.3 People with anorexia have an intense fear of gaining weight and often see themselves as overweight, even when they are not.4 Anorexia is categorized as a psychiatric illness5 and is the most lethal of all mental health disorders.6
Bulimia nervosa, or “bulimia,” is another eating disorder characterized by episodes of bingeing and purging.7 People with bulimia consume large amounts of food in a short period of time (bingeing), and then rid their bodies of the calories consumed through vomiting, the use of laxatives, or excessive exercise (purging).8 Like anorexia, bulimia is also categorized as a psychiatric illness.9
Both anorexia and bulimia are more common in females than males, with an estimated 75-85% of people with anorexia and 55-65% of people with bulimia being women.10,11 However, the prevalence of eating disorders appears to be increasing in males,12,13 and males now account for an estimated 10-15% of people with anorexia and 30-40% of people with bulimia.14,15
The age at which eating disorders most commonly develop varies depending on the disorder. Anorexia nervosa typically develops during adolescence or young adulthood,16,17 while bulimia nervosa is more likely to develop during young adulthood.18,19
It is estimated that 0.5-3.7% of women suffer from anorexia nervosa at some point in their lives,20,21 with the disorder most commonly affecting adolescent and young adult women.22,23 The lifetime prevalence of bulimia nervosa is estimated to be 1.1-4.2% for women24 and 0.4-1.6% for men.25,26
Eating disorders are serious mental health disorders that can have a profound impact on an individual’s physical and emotional health. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please seek professional help.Published here
The link between anorexia and bulimia and other eating disorders.
Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses that are associated with distorted views of weight, body shape, and food. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder are the most common types of eating disorders.
There are many factors that contribute to the development of an eating disorder. Factors such as genetics, environment, and social pressure can all play a role. Having a family member with an eating disorder, experiencing trauma or stressful life events, and being a part of the LGBTQ+ community are all risk factors for developing an eating disorder.
Eating disorders are often characterized by a preoccupation with food, weight, and body image. People with eating disorders often have a distorted view of their bodies and see themselves as overweight, even when they are underweight. This can lead to severe restrictive eating and severe weight loss.
Anorexia nervosa is the most deadly of all eating disorders. It is characterized by self-starvation and excessive weight loss. People with anorexia nervosa have a fear of gaining weight and a distorted view of their body. Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder.
Bulimia nervosa is characterized by episodes of bingeing and purging. People with bulimia nervosa often feel out of control when they are eating and engage in purging behaviors such as vomiting or using laxatives to get rid of the food they have consumed. Bulimia nervosa is a serious illness that can lead to electrolyte imbalances and heart problems.
Binge-eating disorder is characterized by episodes of bingeing without purging. People with binge-eating disorder often feel ashamed and embarrassed about their eating behaviors. Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder in the United States.
Eating disorders are serious illnesses that can have a profound impact on a person’s physical and mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, please seek professional help.
Visit mengeredstoo.co.uk to learn more about anorexia vs bulimia. Disclaimer: We used this website as a reference for this blog post.
