Facts about eating disorders

Between 3 and 5 percent of all adolescent females have a diagnosable eating disorder. Anorexia is much more common among females, however, males account for between 4 and 10 percent of adolescents diagnosed with eating disorders. According to the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of all mental disorders, killing as may as 6 percent of those affected. Among adolescents with eating disorders, many also have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

The term eating disorders refers to a variety of disorders. The common feature of all the eating disorders is abnormal eating behaviors. Eating disorders are serious mental health problems and can be life threatening. 

Anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa are common eating disorders of adolescents and young adults.

There are many different types of eating disorders that require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.

If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please visit the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Online Resources page for more information on that topic.