Who Has Eating Disorders?
Eating disorders are reaching epidemic proportions: 10-15% of all Americans suffer from some type of serious eating disorder; adults as well as children are affected. At least 1/3 of all Americans are now considered to be obese and 60% are overweight. These numbers are staggering when we consider that we live in the age of “fat-free” food and fitness. Anorexia, bulimia, and B.E.D. (Binge Eating Disorder) can affect anyone regardless of social class, age, race, or gender. Eighty six percent of people with eating disorders report onset by age 20; 10% report onset at ten years or younger. According to TIME magazine, 80% of all children have been on a diet by the time they’ve reached fourth grade. Approximately 10% of all people with eating disorders are men. Many clinicians believe that this figure is underreported because many men are ashamed to admit that they may be suffering from something thought to affect only women. According to Newsweek magazine’s May 2, 1994 issue, a study done o
