Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that affect over 9% of the global population, including both men and women across all ages and backgrounds3,4. Common types include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), and they are often linked to emotional distress, trauma, or perfectionism. Anorexia nervosa carries the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness due to both medical complications and suicide1.
Primary care and behavioral health providers play a crucial role in early detection and intervention. Symptoms may include drastic changes in weight or eating patterns, preoccupation with food or body image, or signs of malnutrition. Best practices recommend a multidisciplinary approach involving medical monitoring, nutritional rehabilitation, and psychotherapy. Timely diagnosis, especially among high-risk groups such as adolescents and individuals with comorbid mental health conditions, can significantly improve outcomes2,4.
- American Academy of Pediatrics (2021). Identification and Management of Eating Disorders in Children and Adolescents.
- American Psychiatric Association (2023). Clinical Practice Guidelines.
- Galmiche et al. (2019). Prevalence of eating disorders over the 2000–2018 period: a systematic literature review.
- National Institute of Mental Health (2022). Eating Disorders.
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