Gender inequalities and the burden of anorexia and bulimia in Europe, 1990–2023: findings from the global burden of disease study 2023

Eating disorders (EDs), including anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), are severe mental health conditions affecting physical and psychosocial health. Structural gender inequality may shape the burden of EDs across sexes and regions. We analyzed Global Burden of Disease Study 2023 estimates to assess the relationship between gender inequality and ED burden in Europe. Years Lived with Disability (YLD) for AN and BN were extracted by sex and five-year age groups (10-39 years) from 1990 to 2023 across 35 countries. Gender inequality was measured using the Gender Inequality Index (GII). Mixed linear regression was applied with year, age group, sex, GII, and their interactions as fixed effects, and country and year as random intercept and slope, respectively. YLDs increased over time across most countries and age groups, with females consistently experiencing the highest burden. For AN, higher levels of GII were significantly associated with greater YLD rates in both males (β = 29.28; 95% CI: 22.2 to 36.4) and females (β = 85.3; 95% CI: 42.1 to 128.6), with a stronger effect for females. For BN, GII was inversely associated with YLDs among males (β = -645.6; 95% CI: -732.8 to -558.3), whereas a positive association was observed among females (β = 794.7; 95% CI: 659.1 to 930.2). Higher burden of AD and BN among young Europeans in more gender-equal settings coexisted with sex-specific patterns associated with increasing gender inequality, underscoring the complexity of gender-related factors and the need for gender-sensitive mental health strategies.