The Future of Eating Disorders: What Global Trends Tell Us and Why Action Matters Now
February is Eating Disorder Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding and reducing stigma for conditions that are often misunderstood or overlooked. While conversations about eating disorders are becoming more prevalent with these types of initiatives, new global research shows that awareness alone is not enough. Eating disorders are increasing worldwide and are projected to grow even more without meaningful action.
Eating Disorders Are a Growing Global Health Issue
Recent analyses drawing on data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021 examined eating disorder trends across 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2021. Using advanced machine-learning models and health records from millions of adolescents and young adults aged 15–29, researchers found substantial increases in both anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) worldwide.
Between 1990 and 2021, the number of people living with anorexia nervosa increased by approximately
