Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness and affect millions of people across demographics. Onset typically occurs by age 20, with many cases developing between ages 16-20. Eating disorders can cause life-threatening complications impacting every organ system and include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and eating disorder not otherwise specified. Resources are provided to seek help from organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Eating Disorder Association, and Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.

1. Know the Facts!

EVERYBODY
KNOWS
Eating disorders have the
highest mortality rate of any
SOMEBODY...
mental illness.

42% of 1st-3rd graders want to
who has been affected by an eating disorder.
If you or somebody you know is suffering
from an eating disorder, help is available by
calling:
be thinner, while 81% of 10
year olds are afraid of being fat.

86% report onset of eating
disorder by age 20; 43% report
The NEDA Helpline: (800) 931-2237
onset between ages of 16 and
The ANAD Helpline: (630)577-1330
20.

The Dangers
The NAMI Helpline:(800) 950-6264
Up to 24 million people of all
ages and genders suffer from an
These resources can provide appropriate
information on how to find counseling
services, support groups, and information on
outpatient and impatient treatment centers.
eating disorder in the United
States; 20 million of them will
be women.

Men are less likely to seek
treatment for eating disorders
even though an estimated 10
of people with anorexia or
bulimia are male.
Information provided by:

The National Alliance on Mental Illness

The National Eating Disorder Association

Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders
Kathryn Jurcak, Central Michigan University
Of Eating Disorders

2. The Price Your Body Pays
Things to Know

Mental
Functioning
Eating disorders (EDs) are
extremely serious, with
life-threatening physical and
psychological complications.


They are not just about food and
weight, but often start as a coping
mechanism to feel more control
over uncomfortable or stressful
situations.
EDs do not discriminate; they
affect children, adolescents and
adults, as well as people of all
Cardio
Vascular
(heart)
-Slow, irregular pulse
-Low blood pressure
-Shortness of breath
-Dizziness or fainting
-Chest pain
-Cardiac arrest
Muscular
Skeletal
(bones)
-Stunted growth in children
-Increase in stress fractures
and broken bones
-Osteoporosis
Mouth

Esophagus
Endocrine
System
-Thyroid abnormalities
-Low energy/fatigue
-Cold intolerance
-Low body temperature
-Thinning/loss of hair
EDs can be associated with
significant compromise in every
organ system of the body.

A person suffering from an ED can
have unrealistic self-critical ideas
about body image, causing his or
her eating habits to disrupt normal
body functions and affect daily
activities.
Stomach
Reproductive
System
Eating Disorders
Anorexia
Nervosa
Bulimia
Nervosa
-Enamel erosion
-Loss of teeth
-Gum disease
-Swollen salivary glands
-Sore throat
-Painful burning in throat or
chest
-Tears in esophagus
-May rupture esophagus,
leading to circulatory collapse and death
genders, socioeconomic status,
race, and ethnicities.
-Difficulty concentrating or
focusing
-Difficulty regulating mood
-Associated disorders such
as: Depression, anxiety
disorders and obsessivecompulsive disorder
Types of
-Bloating
-Gastric rupture
-Cessation of menstrual cycle
-Higher rate of miscarriage
-Infertility in men and women
Binge
Eating
Disorder
Characterized by:
 a bodyweight is less than
15% of Ideal Body Weight
 Maintaining a restrictive diet
 Intense fear of gaining
weight
Characterized by:
 Often at or above 15% Ideal
Body Weight
 Binging and purging to
control ones weight
 Purging including
self-induced vomiting,
laxative abuse, enemas or
diuretics
Characterized by:
 Episodes of rapid food
consumption
 feelings of guilt,
worthlessness and
depression
following binges
 Often referred to as
compulsive overeating,
emotional eating or food
addiction

Eating 
Disorder
Not
Otherwise 
Specified
Do not meet the criteria for
either anorexia or bulimia
nervosa
Have significant concerns
about eating and body
image
Highest death rates of any
category of easting
disorders due to its difficulty
to diagnose