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how many people have eating disorders

Around the world, eating disorders affect tens of millions of people , and the numbers have been rising over the last few decades.

How many people have eating disorders?

  • The World Health Organization estimated that about 14 million people worldwide were living with a diagnosed eating disorder in 2019, including around 3 million children and adolescents.
  • Meta-analyses show that the global prevalence in the general population more than doubled from about 3–4% to nearly 8% between 2000 and 2018.
  • Among children and adolescents , a large review of 32 studies across 16 countries found that about 22% show disordered eating (problematic behaviors like restriction, bingeing, or purging, even if not meeting full clinical diagnosis).

These numbers mean that in almost any large school, workplace, or online community, many people are struggling—often silently.

Quick Scoop: key stats at a glance

  • Global diagnosed eating disorders (all ages) : ~14 million people (WHO 2019).
  • Children & teens with disordered eating behaviors: about 1 in 5 (≈22%).
  • Prevalence over time : roughly doubled worldwide between 2000 and 2018.
  • Healthcare use in youth : in the U.S., visits for eating disorders in under‑17s more than doubled between 2018 and 2022.

These figures likely underestimate the true burden, because many people never get diagnosed or don’t seek help.

Why the numbers are so high (and rising)

Experts point to a mix of social, psychological, and biological factors:

  • Social media and appearance pressure : Constant exposure to filtered images, “what I eat in a day” content, and body trends can fuel body dissatisfaction and disordered eating, especially in teens.
  • Diet culture : Normalized talk about “good” vs. “bad” foods, extreme dieting, and weight-loss fads can mask early warning signs.
  • Stress and mental health : Anxiety, depression, bullying, and major life changes can all increase risk.
  • Genetics and temperament : Some people are biologically more vulnerable to anxiety, perfectionism, and compulsive behaviors, which can feed into eating disorders.

In the past decade, better awareness and screening also mean more cases are being recognized, which partly explains higher reported prevalence.

A closer look at youth and trends

Recent research is particularly worried about children and adolescents:

  • Systematic reviews find that around 22% of kids and teens show disordered eating behaviors, with higher rates in girls and older adolescents.
  • One analysis reported that visits for eating disorders among under‑17s in the U.S. rose by more than 100% between 2018 and 2022.

“High figures are concerning from a public health perspective and highlight the need to implement strategies for preventing eating disorders.”

In plain terms: this is not a rare issue—it’s a widespread mental health challenge affecting families, schools, and communities across the globe.

Eating disorders vs. “disordered eating”

It helps to separate two overlapping ideas:

  • Eating disorders (diagnosed) : Conditions like anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and others that meet strict clinical criteria. These affect millions worldwide and can be life‑threatening.
  • Disordered eating (subclinical) : Harmful patterns (chronic dieting, bingeing, purging, compulsive exercise, extreme restriction) that may not meet full diagnostic criteria but still damage physical and mental health.

That 22% figure in youth refers to disordered eating , which is a warning sign and a risk factor for full eating disorders.

If you or someone you know is struggling

Eating disorders are serious but treatable conditions. They are also among the mental health issues with the highest mortality , so early support matters.

If this feels personally relevant, consider:

  1. Talking to someone you trust
    • A friend, family member, teacher, or mentor can help you take the next step.
  2. Reaching out to a professional
    • A primary care doctor, therapist, or dietitian with experience in eating disorders can assess what’s going on and suggest treatment options.
  3. Using helplines or reputable organizations
    • Many countries have eating disorder associations or crisis lines that offer guidance and resources online or by phone.

You don’t need to “look sick enough” or hit a certain weight to deserve help—struggling with food, body image, or guilt around eating is already a valid reason to reach out. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.