Anorexia Statistics - Get The Eating Disorder Facts
Prepare For These Shocking Statistics On Anorexia

Anorexia statistics can be dull and boring to read (or write) about. However, statistics on anorexia are an important indication of where we're going with this illness, and where we've come from. They're also a way to gauge what we think we already know about eating disorder (anorexia) facts.

Eating disorders and anorexia statistics show that disordered eating behaviors can be fatal without treatment. As many as 20 percent of anorexia sufferers will die.

With therapy, that number falls to approximately 3 percent. But, did you know that eating disorders statistics indicate that only 1 in 10 people actually receive treatment?

There are at least a couple of reasons for this. The first obstacle is that the costs to enter an eating disorder treatment center are around $1,200 USD per day, sometimes more.

Anorexia statistics also show that obtaining insurance coverage for the cost of treatment is often impossibble. In fact, most insurances companies have eliminated eating disorder treatment and are refusing to pay for hospital care for these patients. Their reasoning for this is unclear, but it's maddening and inhumane. Some even call it discrimination.

As a result, a large percentage of people end up paying out of their own pockets by re-mortgaging their homes, dipping into savings accounts, or whatever else they're able to do to help themselves or their loved one.

Some are not fortunate enough to even have this option. With no alternative, they must leaving their son, daughter or loved one at risk of death.

In any case, if you are admitted to an anorexia treatment center, the length of stay is typically calculated on an individual basis, but the average ranges from 30 to 60 days, at minimum. Obviously that cost can vary, depending on where you go, or any other number of factors.

Secondly, anorexics and disordered eaters are often resistant to going to an eating disorder clinic. They may feel that doing so would invade their privacy ("secrecy"), and it also makes them feel as if they're losing control over their life and decision-making processes. In some ways, this is actually a good thing -- a necessary evil ;)

Anorexia Statistics - More Alarming Statistics On Anorexia

I recently spent a lot of time going through my notes about anorexia statistics -- which I wrote while I was in treatment -- and I started to realize how much information I learned with regards to various eating disorder statistics.

This, of course, is somewhat of a breakthrough on its own because before I was in treatment (and perhaps even still), I was in a state of denial and had no concerns at all for the statistics, or the fact that death from anorexia is very real possibility.

I suppose that super-human feeling is fairly common among people with eating disorders. You kind of think to yourself, "Well, that's them. It has nothing to do with me".

Now that my eyes are open, here are some of the stats that I had scribbled down from therapy with regards to anorexia and other eating disorders statistics:

• In 15-24-year-old females, the mortality rate for anorexia is 12 times higher than for all other causes of death.
• Once someone has an eating disorder, there's only a 50% chance of being cured.
• There's a .3% chance that males will develop anorexia.
• Depressed mood is present in 50% to 75% of those diagnosed with anorexia.
• Over 85% of sufferers are diagnosed before the age of 20.
• The ratio of women in the U.S. who have anorexia is 1 in 200.
• Between the ages of 13-40, as many as 300,000 Canadian women have anorexia.
• Approximately 6% of serious cases die.

Anorexia Statistics - How Long The Illness Can Last

One of the questions that I'm often asked is, "How long will it take before you get well?" It's such an awkward moment ;)

I have no idea how you would define "well" with regards to an eating disorder, but according to anorexia statistics, it can take a few years in some cases.

There is no cure (that I'm aware of), so what does "get well" really mean?

Here are some facts about the average length of time suffering from an eating disorder.

Since I've been battling my 'ED' for over 25 years, I am clearly not part of these anorexia statistics:

• 77% endure their illness for 1-15 years
• -- From that 77%:
• Those who suffer for 11-15 years = 16%.
• Those who suffer for 6-10 years = 31%.
• Those who suffer for 1-5 years = 30%.

It's my hope that these mind-blowing stats will help enlighten governments to the fact that there is a serious need for the funding of more eating disorder treatment centers - at least in Canada.

If you live where I do, even just one treatment center for adults over the age of 25 would be nice!

One of my readers submitted this interesting, fact-filled post about anorexia and the weight loss industry.

Feel free to review even more specific anorexia statistics and information on these pages:

• Anorexia in teens
• Men with anorexia
• Anorexia in boys

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