Eating disorders in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts
Eating disorders negatively impact a person’s body weight or shape and are collectively among the deadliest mental illnesses. The most common types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Anorexia is characterized by an extreme fear of gaining weight that results in food restriction or excessive exercise. Bulimia, on the other hand, is defined by periods of overeating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as forced vomiting or exercising too much. Similarly, binge eating disorder involves regularly overeating and feeling unable to stop. In contrast to bulimia, binge eating disorder does not involve compensatory behaviors but rather a sense of guilt, shame, and disgust at having lost control.
