Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness—20 percent of affected individuals without treatment. The mortality rate drops to 2 to 3 percent with treatment. One percent of females between the ages of 10 and 20 have anorexia nervosa and 2 to 3 percent have bulimia. Males account for only 1 percent of those with eating disorders.
Trends
- Incidence of eating disorders has doubled since the 1960s
- Increasing numbers of children as young as age six suffer from the illness
- 10 percent report onset of illness at age 10 or younger
- Incidences of eating disorders are increasing among diverse ethnic groups
- 42 percent of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner
- 9 percent of nine-year-olds have vomited to lose weight
- 13 percent of high school girls purge
Medical Complications from Anorexia
- Osteoporosis
- Muscle atrophy
- Heart muscle shrinkage and irregular heart beats
- In adolescence, growth retardation and peak bone mass reduction
- Frequently co-occurs with depression, substance abuse, or anxiety disorders
- Common causes of death are cardiac arrest or electrolyte imbalance, or suicide
Medical Complications from Bulimia
- Dehydration
- Heart and gastrointestinal problems
- Teeth erosion
- Electrolyte disturbances, irregular heart beats, and heart failure
- Laxative dependence
Laxative Abuse
- Use among bulimics is 40 to 75 percent
- 15 percent abuse laxatives several times each day
- Abuse among high school students range from 3.5 to 7 percent
- Abuse can cause failure to absorb nutrients, electrolyte imbalances, loss of colon function, and development of renal stones
Treatment and Recovery
- With treatment, 60 percent of people with eating disorders recover
- 20 percent make only partial recoveries and often relapse
- Remaining 20 percent do not recover and suffer chronic deterioration
- Treatment should include nutritional, medical, and psychiatric services, and psychotherapy with the patient and family
- Cognitive behavioral therapy has shown to be effective in reducing symptoms and increasing self-esteem
- Early detection and treatment result in improved outcomes
Sources
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Eating Disorders Coalition for Research, Policy & Action (EDC)
- Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders (ANRED)
- National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
