Global, regional, and national burden of eating disorders in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Substantial disparities exist in the burden of eating disorders across different SDI levels, regions, and countries, with marked variations in the rates of increase. Future research and interventions aimed at mitigating the burden should prioritize the development of tailored prevention and treatment strategies accounting for distinct regional and cultural contexts. Eating disorders (EDs), such as anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), are serious health conditions that affect millions of people around the world. Understanding their impact on different populations is crucial for organizing effective healthcare and support.In this study, we scrutinized the global burden of these disorders-meaning how common and disabling they are-across different countries and regions from 1990 to 2021. We analyzed data from over 200 countries to see how patterns have changed over time and whether they are linked to a country's level of social and economic development.What we found:Global Patterns: The burden of eating disorders is not evenly spread. In 2021, they were much more common in high-income regions like North America, Western Europe, and Australasia. In contrast, countries across Asia, Africa, and much of Latin America reported relatively lower levels. A Growing Concern for Men: While females are still more affected overall, the rate of increase in cases among males has been greater over the past three decades. Link to Development: There is a clear connection between a nation's development level and eating disorder rates. Countries with higher socioeconomic development tend to have significantly higher prevalence and health impacts from these disorders.Why this matters:Our findings show that the challenge of eating disorders varies greatly around the world. This means that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work. To reduce the global impact of these illnesses, prevention and treatment strategies must be carefully tailored to fit the specific social, economic, and cultural contexts of different regions and countries.