Binge Eating Disorder Statistics and Facts

Written by Natasha Tracy

Binge eating disorder statistics suggest that BED is the most common eating disorder with about 2% of all adults exhibiting the symptoms of binge eating disorder. This number is an estimate though as there are no reliable statistics on the number of men with this eating disorder due to lack of research. There is also some stigma with men admitting they have an eating disorder, as they may believe it to be a "female disorder". (See articles on male eating disorders.)

Who Gets Binge Eating Disorder?

Binge eating disorder is thought to affect slightly more women than men and has been found in a wide range of ages. Compulsive overeating statistics suggest that people often wait for more than ten years to get help with binge eating disorder. Because research on binge eating disorder is relatively new, few binge eating facts are available and it is difficult to pinpoint the most common age when the eating disorder begins.

Additional compulsive overeating statistics include:¹

• Among mildly obese people in self-help or commercial weight loss programs, 10% to 15% have binge eating disorder
• Binge eating disorder is even more common in those with severe obesity
• There is no binge eating fact that suggests that ethnicity has any affect on who gets BED
• Obese people with binge eating disorder often became overweight at a younger age than those without the disorder
• Obese people with binge eating disorder also might have more frequent episodes of losing and regaining weight