National Eating Disorder Awareness Week

February 24-March 1, 2008

Eating Disorder Awareness Week

Here are some sobering statistics to consider:

Eating disorders affect up to ten million U.S. females, and 1 million males. That's triple the number of people living with AIDS in this country! It's a significant and deadly illness, yet receives precious little awareness in comparison.

42 percent of girls in first through third grade want to be thinner

As many as 13% of all females in the US will struggle with an eating disorder each year.

Approximately 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat

51% of 9-10 year olds report feeling better about themselves while dieting

Teen girls who ate five or more meals a week with their families were nearly one-third less likely to develop extreme weight control behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting and abuse of laxatives, diet pills or diuretics, than girls who ate less often with their families.

Anorexia is thought to have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder, with approximately 10% of those who are diagnosed with the disorder eventually dying due to related causes.

The suicide rate of people with anorexia is also higher than that of the general population and is thought to be the major cause of death for those with the condition.

Less than one-half recover fully, one-third improve, and 20% remain chronically ill.