Eating disorders are among the deadliest mental health conditions, and current estimates suggest that around 10,000 people die each year in the U.S. alone from eating-disorder–related causes, which is roughly one death every 52 minutes.

How many people die from eating disorders?

Looking at recent U.S. estimates:

  • About 10,200 deaths per year are directly attributed to eating disorders in the United States.
  • That works out to about 27 deaths every day , or roughly one person every 52 minutes.
  • Eating disorders (especially anorexia nervosa) have one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric disorder.

These deaths can be due to both medical complications (such as heart problems, electrolyte imbalances, organ failure) and suicide , which is substantially more common in people with eating disorders than in the general population.

Why eating disorders are so deadly

  • Anorexia nervosa has an especially high mortality rate, with people experiencing it having several times the risk of death compared with people of the same age without anorexia.
  • Across all eating disorders, the risk of dying is estimated to be more than three times higher than in people without an eating disorder.
  • Medical complications can affect every major organ system , including the heart, bones, hormones, and brain.
  • Long illness duration and delayed treatment raise the risk of both severe medical complications and death.

An example: a person with long-standing anorexia may develop dangerously low heart rate and electrolyte levels, which can trigger sudden cardiac arrest even in someone who appears young and otherwise “healthy.”

Global impact in health terms

Precise global death counts are harder to pin down, but researchers track the overall health burden :

  • Each year, eating disorders are estimated to account for over 3.3 million “healthy life years” lost worldwide (years lived with disability and premature death combined).
  • These conditions affect an estimated 2–5% of people over a lifetime , and they occur across genders, ages, and body sizes.

This means that even beyond deaths, eating disorders cause long-lasting physical, psychological, and social harm on a global scale.

If you’re asking for yourself or someone you care about

Because eating disorders are so serious, early help can be lifesaving.

If you or someone you know might be struggling with an eating disorder, consider:

  1. Talking to a trusted person
    • A family member, close friend, teacher, or mentor who can help you find support.
  2. Reaching out to a professional
    • A primary care doctor, mental health professional, or specialized eating-disorder clinic can screen and guide treatment options.
  1. Using crisis support if you’re in immediate danger
    • If there are thoughts of self-harm or suicide, contact your local emergency number or a crisis hotline in your country right away.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.

If you tell me your country or region, I can share typical types of helplines or services that people in your area often use (without naming specific providers).