Fact Sheets | Resources
People with eating disorders experience serious disturbances in their eating patterns, such as a severe and unhealthy reduction in their food intake or overeating, as well as extreme concern about body shape or weight. Eating disorders usually develop during adolescence or early adulthood. Eating disorders are not due to weak willpower or bad behavior; rather, they are real, treatable illnesses. The two main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa.
Who has eating disorders?
Women are much more likely than men to develop an eating disorder. Only an estimated five to 15 percent of people with anorexia or bulimia are male.An estimated 0.5 to 3.7 percent of women suffer from anorexia nervosa in their lifetime. Research suggests that about 1 percent of female adolescents have anorexia.An estimated 1.1 to 4.2 percent of women have bulimia nervosa in their lifetime.About 50 percent of people who have had anorexia develop bulimia or bulimic patterns.
What treatments are available?
Eating disorders are treatable. The sooner they are diagnosed and treated, the better the outcomes are likely to be. Eating disorders require a comprehensive, long-term treatment plan that usually involves individual or family therapy, and that may include medication and even immediate hospitalization. Unfortunately, many people with eating disorders will not admit they are ill and refuse treatment. Support from family and friends are vital to successful treatment and recovery.
Fact Sheets
Eating Disorders
Resources
Fact Sheet from Mental Health America: Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders - A detailed booklet that describes the symptoms, causes, and treatments of eating disorders from the National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH)
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
603 Stewart Street, Suite 803
Seattle, WA 98101
Tel: (800) 931-2237
Email: info@NationalEatingDisorders.org
Internet: http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
NEDA is the largest non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to eliminating eating disorders and body dissatisfaction. NEDA aims to accomplish its goals by promoting positive body image and self-esteem. Services NEDA offers include prevention programs, the distribution of educational materials, research and a referral line.
National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
PO Box 7
Highland Park, IL 60035
Tel: (847) 831-3438
Email: anad20@aol.com
Internet: http://www.anad.org/
ANAD is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with eating disorders and their families. In addition to its hotline counseling, ANAD operates an international network of support groups and offers referrals to health care professionals who treat eating disorders, across the U.S. and in fifteen other countries. ANAD publishes a national quarterly newsletter, and will mail information packets customized to individual needs upon request. It also provides educational speakers, programs and presentations for schools, colleges, public health agencies and community groups.
Screening for Mental Health, Inc. (SMH)
One Washington Street, Suite 304
Wellesley, MA 02481-1706
Tel: (781) 239-0071
Internet: http://www.mentalhealthscreening.org/
SMH is a non-profit organization that coordinates mental health screening programs nationwide, including the National Eating Disorders Screening Program (NEDSP), a large-scale screening for eating disorders, and an Interactive Telephone Screening Programs. NEDSP includes an educational presentation on eating disorders, body image, and nutrition, a written screening test and the opportunity to meet one-on-one with a health professional.
Eating Disorder Information and Referral Center
Internet: www.EDreferral.com
This website is a resource for information and treatment options for all forms of eating disorders. It includes referrals to local treatment centers nationwide.
Overeaters Anonymous (OA)
World Service Office
PO Box 44020
Rio Rancho, NM 87174-4020
Tel: (505) 891-2664
Email: info@overeatersanonymous.org
Internet: http://www.overeatersanonymous.org/
OA is a non-profit international organization that provides volunteer support groups worldwide. Modeled after the 12-step Alcoholics Anonymous program, the OA recovery program addresses physical, emotional and spiritual recovery aspects of compulsive overeating. Members are encouraged to seek professional help for individual diet and nutrition plans and for any emotional or physical problems.
The Renfrew Center Foundation
475 Spring Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19128
Tel: 1-800-RENFREW
Email: foundation@renfrew.org
Internet: http://www.renfrew.org/
The Renfrew Center Foundation is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization promoting the education, prevention, treatment and research of eating disorders. The Renfrew Center Foundation is funded by private donations and by the Renfrew Center, the nation’s first freestanding facility committed to the treatment of eating disorders.