Eating disorders affect all socio-economic levels.
Binge eating is the most common eating disorder in the United States affecting 3.5% of females and 2% of males, followed by bulimia nervosa then anorexia nervosa.
Females with anorexia nervosa have a higher suicide rate than those with any other mental health disorder and the general population up to 60 times higher according to one study.
Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder.
Anorexia nervosa although usually reported in white adolescent females affects all races and ages groups.
The mortality rate for anorexia nervosa is 4.0%, bulimia nervosa is 3.9% and 'eating disorder not otherwise specified' (EDNOS) which includes binge eating disorder is placed at 5.2%
Males account for 5%-10% of anorexia nervosa cases and 10%-15% of bulimia nervosa cases.
An optimum healthy weight is calculated using the Body Mass Index.