Global anorexia and bulimia cases up 71% since 1990; Australia highest, UK among worst

Mixed · 2A study published in JAMA Psychiatry found that cases of anorexia and bulimia nervosa have risen 71 per cent worldwide since 1990. 1 2 Mixed · 2The international team, which includes University of Queensland scientists, estimated prevalence in 204 countries between 1990 and 2023, using population surveys, systematic reviews and official diagnostic records. 2 1 Mixed · 2It estimated 3.92 million people were living with anorexia and 14.2 million with bulimia, about 18.1 million in total as of 2023, and forecast continued growth to 2050. 1 2

Mixed · 2Australia had the highest prevalence, at 1,026.5 cases per 100,000 people, more than twice the UK's rate of over 493 per 100,000; the Daily Mail reported the US at 318.1. 2 1 Right · 1The Daily Mail said the UK's rate was six-fold that of Somalia, the lowest of the countries studied, and named Ireland, New Zealand, Switzerland and Nordic nations as having similarly high rates. 2 Mixed · 2By sex, the Daily Mail reported rises of 74.6 per cent in men and 69.5 per cent in women; ABC said females made up nearly 70 per cent of global cases and about 41 per cent of cases were in people aged 10 to 24. 2 1

Mixed · 2Regional increases were described differently: the Daily Mail said Australia and New Zealand combined saw the largest surge at 83.5 per cent, but that after controlling for population age the biggest rise was in East Asia (61.5 per cent) and Western Europe rose 20 per cent; ABC said the largest relative increases in incidence were in East, South and South-East Asia. 2 1 Left · 1Senior author Damian Santomauro called Australia's ranking "surprising and concerning", noting the high figure may partly reflect survey methodology used in Australia, though he did not think that was the whole explanation. 1 Mixed · 2The authors attributed national variation to a "complex interplay" of genetic, socioeconomic and cultural factors; Santomauro suggested increased time online and social media as one hypothesis for the rise. 2 1

Left · 1ABC reported limitations: gaps in data on bulimia mortality and less information from some low-income countries, and that the study excludes binge eating disorder and other eating disorders, so it captures only a small share of total burden. 1 Mixed · 2The authors called for better prevention, early detection and more treatment capacity; Butterfly Helpline psychologist Sarah Cox and Jeanette Chan, who has lived experience of an eating disorder, urged more funding in Australia. 2 1 Right · 1The Daily Mail tied the story to actor Celia Imrie's recent account of receiving electroconvulsive therapy at 14 for anorexia, and cited earlier studies suggesting UK cases rose from 1.25 million in 2017 to 3.5 million; it listed social media, exam anxiety and pandemic service restrictions as proposed factors. 2