Lexi Webster
Anorexia Nervosa is a serious mental illness characterised by an intense fear of gaining weight, distorted body image, and extreme food restriction. It has the highest death rate of any mental illness, with up to 20% of sufferers dying from suicide or physical complications. In Australia, approximately 2,000 young people die each year from the effects of eating disorders, including anorexia. The prevalence of anorexia in Australia is estimated to be around 0.5% of the population, with around one million Australians suffering from an eating disorder each year. The average onset age for anorexia is 16-17 years, and it predominantly affects females, with 80-85% of cases occurring in women and girls.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people with anorexia nervosa in Australia | 0.5% of the population or 120,000 people (based on 24 million population) |
| Number of people with anorexia nervosa who die each year | 24,000 (20% of 120,000) |
| Number of people with an eating disorder in Australia | 1 million (4% of the population) or 1.1 million (4.45% of the population) |
| Number of people with an eating disorder who die each year | 2,000 |
| Prevalence of anorexia nervosa among people with an eating disorder | 3% |
| Average age of onset of anorexia nervosa | 16-17 years |
| Gender distribution among people with anorexia nervosa | 80-85% female, 15-20% male |
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What You'll Learn
Anorexia Nervosa's high death rate
Anorexia Nervosa has the highest death rate of any mental illness, with up to 20% of people dying from suicide or physical complications caused by the illness. This equates to approximately 2,000 young people in Australia dying each year from the effects of eating disorders, which is a higher number of deaths than the national road toll.
Anorexia Nervosa is characterised by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. Individuals with this condition often have a significantly low body weight and restrict their food intake to avoid gaining weight. The average onset of Anorexia Nervosa is 16-17 years, although younger children are increasingly becoming affected. The prevalence of Anorexia Nervosa is highest among Australian adolescents, with the highest incidence among females aged 15-24 years.
Anorexia Nervosa is one of Australia's most well-known and common eating disorders, affecting approximately 0.5% of the population. This equates to approximately 124,000 Australians, based on a population of 25 million. Anorexia Nervosa is the third most common eating disorder in Australia, after binge eating disorder (2.5%) and bulimia nervosa (1.5%).
The high death rate associated with Anorexia Nervosa is due to the serious physical complications that can arise from the illness. These complications can include cardiac arrest, organ failure, and suicide. The risk of death is also increased by the high prevalence of co-existing mental illnesses among individuals with Anorexia Nervosa. Approximately one-quarter to one-third of people with Anorexia Nervosa have contemplated suicide, and up to one-third have attempted suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for people with Anorexia Nervosa.
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Suicide risk
Anorexia Nervosa has the highest death rate of any mental illness, with up to 20% dying from suicide. This equates to approximately 2,000 young people in Australia dying each year from the effects of eating disorders, a number far greater than the national road toll. People with anorexia are 18 times more likely to die by suicide than those without the illness.
Anorexia is a serious, life-threatening mental illness, not a lifestyle choice. Research shows that adolescents are at the greatest risk, with the average age of onset for anorexia nervosa between 12 and 17 years old. The highest prevalence is found in 15–19-year-olds, where up to 12% of adolescents in this age bracket had an eating disorder in 2023. This trend is also reflected in the age distribution of eating disorder cases in Australia, with 27% of cases among 10–19-year-olds. This has nearly doubled since 2012, highlighting a significant increase in eating disorders among younger age groups.
Several factors contribute to the elevated suicide risk among people with anorexia. One factor is the high prevalence of co-existing mental illnesses, with approximately 55% of individuals with anorexia having had one or more additional mental illnesses at some point in their lives. Anxiety disorders, especially social anxiety, can precede the onset of an eating disorder and contribute to suicidal ideation. Additionally, individuals with anorexia may experience family issues and conflicts, social isolation, a sense of being a burden to others, a history of previous suicide attempts, and a disregard for dangerous consequences, all of which can increase suicide risk.
The physical complications of anorexia can also contribute to suicide risk. Cardiovascular complications are the leading cause of death among people with anorexia, and the physical toll of the illness can exacerbate feelings of hopelessness and despair. Furthermore, individuals with anorexia may engage in self-harm behaviours, which can increase the risk of accidental death and develop into suicidal ideation over time.
It is important to recognise the warning signs of suicide in individuals with anorexia. These may include talking about feeling hopeless or guilty about being a burden to others. If you know someone with an eating disorder who is exhibiting signs of suicidal thinking or behaviour, offering support and encouragement to seek professional help can be life-saving.
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Physical complications
Anorexia Nervosa is a severe, life-threatening mental illness that can lead to death. It is estimated that around 2,000 young people in Australia die each year from the effects of eating disorders, a number that surpasses the national road toll. Anorexia Nervosa has the highest death rate of any mental illness, with up to 20% of deaths attributed to physical complications or suicide.
Anorexia Nervosa typically starts in the mid-teens, with an average onset age of 16-17 years. However, younger children are increasingly being affected. The condition is more prevalent among females, with approximately 80-85% of diagnosed cases occurring in women and girls.
- Cardiovascular issues: Anorexia can lead to bradycardia (slow heart rate) and hypotension (low blood pressure). This can cause dizziness, fainting, and, in severe cases, cardiac arrest. The heart muscle can also weaken, leading to potential heart failure.
- Electrolyte imbalances: Malnutrition and dehydration caused by anorexia can result in electrolyte imbalances, such as low sodium, potassium, and magnesium levels. These imbalances can affect nerve and muscle function, leading to irregular heart rhythms and, in extreme cases, cardiac arrest.
- Gastrointestinal problems: Anorexia often causes gastrointestinal issues, including constipation, nausea, and abdominal pain. The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and ulceration also increases.
- Hormonal imbalances: Anorexia can disrupt the normal production of hormones, particularly in females, leading to amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) and infertility.
- Musculoskeletal problems: Malnutrition can cause muscle wasting and osteoporosis (weakened bones), increasing the risk of fractures.
- Renal complications: Anorexia can lead to kidney damage and failure due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
- Neurological issues: Neurological complications include headaches, dizziness, and seizures. In severe cases, anorexia can lead to brain damage and cognitive impairment.
- Haematological complications: Malnutrition can cause anaemia, making those affected feel weak and fatigued. It can also increase the risk of infection and impair wound healing.
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Eating disorder prevalence
Eating disorders are serious, life-threatening illnesses that affect a significant portion of the Australian population. The latest data estimates that around 1.1 million Australians aged over 5 years old have an eating disorder, which equates to approximately 4.45% of the population. This number indicates that around 286,069 people in Victoria alone struggled with an eating disorder in 2023.
Eating disorders are more prevalent in younger age groups, with 27% of cases in Australia occurring in those aged 10-19. This proportion has nearly doubled since 2012, highlighting a concerning increase in eating disorders among adolescents. The highest prevalence is found in 15–19-year-olds, where up to 12% of adolescents in this age group had an eating disorder in 2023. The average age of onset for anorexia nervosa, specifically, is 16-17 years, although younger children are increasingly being affected.
Eating disorders affect people of all genders, with research indicating that over one-third of those struggling are male. However, many experts believe this number may be even higher due to underreporting and misdiagnosis resulting from gender stereotyping. Adolescents are at the greatest risk, with 75% of people diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and 83% of those with bulimia nervosa falling between 12 and 25 years of age. Among these adolescents, a large proportion (84-88%) have had one or more co-existing mental illnesses at some point in their lives.
The lifetime prevalence of bulimia nervosa in the Australian population is estimated to be 1.85%, with the average age of onset being 18 years. Women and girls are more likely to experience all types of eating disorders, with binge eating disorder prevalence almost double in women compared to men, and more than doubled for bulimia nervosa. Approximately 80-85% of individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa are female, while 15-20% are male. Transgender young people are also disproportionately affected, with 23% reporting a current or previous diagnosis of an eating disorder.
Eating disorder symptoms are on the rise, with strict dieting and weekly binge eating behaviours increasing significantly since the late 1990s. Of people with an eating disorder, 3% have anorexia nervosa, 12% have bulimia nervosa, 47% have binge eating disorder, and 38% have other eating disorders. The global disease burden of any eating disorder is substantial, with a significant economic cost to Australia, highlighting the need for improved research and health policies to address this growing issue.
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Age and gender distribution
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that affect people of all ages and genders. They are not a lifestyle choice or a diet gone wrong. Anorexia Nervosa has the highest death rate of any mental illness, with up to 20% dying from suicide or physical complications. It is estimated that approximately 2,000 young people in Australia die each year from the effects of eating disorders.
The average onset of Anorexia Nervosa is between 16 and 17 years, although younger children are increasingly becoming affected. Research shows that adolescents are at the greatest risk, with 75% of people diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa falling between 12 and 25 years of age. The prevalence of eating disorders is highest among Australian adolescents, with the highest incidence among females aged 15 to 24 years. The latest data shows that 27% of eating disorder cases in Australia are among those aged 10-19, a concerning trend that has nearly doubled since 2012.
Eating disorders are more common among females, with 67% of people with eating disorders in Australia being female and 33% male. However, it is important to note that the number of men with eating disorders may be higher due to underreporting and misdiagnosis. Approximately 80-85% of individuals diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa are female, and 15-20% are male.
Among adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa, a large proportion (55%) have had one or more co-existing mental illnesses. Anxiety disorders, especially social anxiety, can often precede the onset of an eating disorder. Eating disorders are often comorbid with other mental health concerns such as depression, substance use disorders, personality disorders, and autism spectrum disorder.
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Frequently asked questions
Approximately 2,000 young people in Australia die each year from the effects of eating disorders, with anorexia nervosa having the highest death rate of any mental illness, with up to 20% dying from suicide or physical complications caused by the illness.
Anorexia nervosa affects approximately 0.5% of the population in Australia, or about 3% of people with eating disorders.
The average onset of anorexia nervosa is 16-17 years, although younger children are increasingly becoming affected.
Anorexia nervosa is characterised by an intense fear of gaining weight, a distorted body image, and significant weight loss. Individuals with this condition often have a significantly low body weight and restrict their food intake to avoid gaining weight.
Eating disorders affect approximately 1 million Australians each year, or about 4% of the population. The prevalence of eating disorders is highest among Australian adolescents, with up to 12% of adolescents aged 15-19 having an eating disorder.
