Prevalence of Eating Disorders in Australia and why it matters.

Anorexia Nervosa (AN)

  • Prevalence: According to the National Eating Disorder Collaboration (NEDC), around 3% of Australians with eating disorders live with anorexia nervosa (AN).

  • Anorexia nervosa is a serious psychiatric illness marked by food restriction, intense fear of weight gain, and distorted body image. Despite its lower prevalence compared to other eating disorders, it carries the highest mortality rate of all mental health conditions, driven by both medical complications and elevated suicide risk. Early intervention is crucial, yet many individuals delay seeking support due to stigma, perfectionism, or lack of access to safe, inclusive care.

  • Why this matters: Although less common, anorexia nervosa often receives the most media attention, creating the false belief that it is the “main” eating disorder. This can overshadow more prevalent disorders and leave those with other presentations feeling unseen.

Bulimia Nervosa (BN)

  • Prevalence: According to NEDC, roughly 12% of eating disorder cases in Australia are bulimia nervosa.

  • Bulimia nervosa involves a cycle of repeated binge eating episodes followed by compensatory behaviours such as vomiting, fasting, or excessive exercise. People living with bulimia often feel deep shame and secrecy around these behaviours, which can delay help-seeking. The medical risks are significant, ranging from electrolyte imbalances to gastrointestinal issues, yet many struggle in silence due to stigma.

  • Why this matters: Because bulimia is often less visible, it may be misunderstood or dismissed, leading to underdiagnosis. Recognising bulimia as a serious, treatable condition is vital in making therapy inclusive and validating.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

  • Prevalence: According to NEDC, Binge Eating is the most common subtype, affecting 47% of Australians with an eating disorder. Lifetime prevalence is estimated at 4.5% of women and 3% of men.

  • BED is characterised by recurrent episodes of eating large amounts of food in a short period, accompanied by feelings of loss of control, guilt, and distress. Unlike bulimia, there are no regular compensatory behaviours. Despite being the most prevalent eating disorder, it is highly stigmatised and often wrongly dismissed as “overeating,” leading many people to miss out on effective treatment.

  • Why this matters: BED challenges the stereotype that eating disorders only occur in thin bodies. Raising awareness ensures that people in different bodies are not overlooked and can access respectful, evidence-based support.

Other Specific Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED)

  • Prevalence: About 38% of Australians with eating disorders are diagnosed with OSFED according to NEDC.

  • OSFED covers presentations that cause significant distress but don’t fit neatly into anorexia, bulimia, or BED. This includes ARFID, purging disorder, night eating syndrome, or subthreshold conditions. People with OSFED often feel invalidated because their struggles don’t “fit the box,” yet the medical and psychological impacts can be just as severe.

  • Why this matters: OSFED is the second most common diagnosis, but is often invisible in public awareness campaigns. By naming and validating these presentations, we can make treatment more inclusive and ensure no one falls through the cracks.

Why These Statistics Matter

Eating disorders affect more than 1 million Australians every year. Yet public understanding remains limited, often focusing narrowly on anorexia in young women. In reality, eating disorders:

  • It occurs across all ages, genders, body sizes, and cultural backgrounds.

  • Most commonly present as BED and OSFED, which are under-recognised despite making up the majority of cases.

  • Require early, inclusive, and accessible intervention to reduce long-term health risks and improve recovery outcomes.

At recoverED Clinic, we believe that every story matters. By shining light on the true prevalence and diversity of eating disorder subtypes, we hope to break stigma, challenge stereotypes, and make safe, HAES-aligned therapy available to all.