Bulimia Epidemiology

The eating disorder of bulimia nervosa is characterized by the three primary symptoms which are associated with this illness. These symptoms include frequent binge eating followed by purging through various means such as self-induced vomiting, laxatives, diuretics, excessive exercise and an obsession with body image including weight and shape.

Some criticism has been directed to the fact that epidemiological studies of bulimia nervosa have been focused primarily on the prevalence of this disorder while more research should be done in the way of understanding more about this condition and its causes.

The Prevalence of Bulimia Statistics

Epidemiological studies have primarily done on adolescent and young women where the estimates have shown that up to two percent of this population suffer from this disorder. Among the population of all adult women it is estimated that five to fifteen percent suffer from some form of this disorder.

Among the male population estimates show that about ten percent of this population have an eating disorder and that homosexual males are more likely to develop bulimia than heterosexual males as well as male wrestling team members with estimates of seven to ten percent of them being prone to developing bulimia.

Among individuals who have bulimia studies show that eighty four percent of them have some type of college education and that nineteen percent of all college aged females are bulimic. Studies have also shown that sixty four percent of people who have bulimia are of normal or very near normal body weight.

Seventy percent of bulimics also have some for of mental disorder such as clinical depression and fifty percent of anorexics will also develop some form of bulimia. Research has also shown that children who have a mother that frequently diets are more susceptible to developing an eating disorder.

Bulimia Recovery and other Statistics

It is estimated that eighty percent of individuals who receive treatment for bulimia experience remission of their symptoms within three months, and that as many as up to seventy percent experience a full recovery without having any recurrence of bulimia symptoms.

However, relapse is fairly common among these individuals as up to twenty five percent will still fit the diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa after one year. Statistics also show that individuals with bulimia will partake in binge eating eleven times per week on average.

 Some studies have also shown that individuals who change their dieting habits frequently are eighteen times more likely to develop some form of an eating disorder. Some statistics show that the rate of fatality among all individuals who are diagnosed with an eating disorder is as high as twenty percent.

Early intervention is the key when it comes to individuals experiencing a full recovery from an eating disorder which is why it is essential of you see the signs of an eating disorder in a loved one or family member that you attempt to get them immediate professional medical assistance.