eating disorders in canada: stats, impact and resources
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connecting with support organizations can help people and their families living with eating disorders find resources, information, and potential treatment options.
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eating disorders affect roughly 2.9 million canadians. many people with eating disorders go undiagnosed for long periods of time, or are never diagnosed at all, and only approximately 10 per cent of people with an eating disorder receive adequate treatment.
eating disorders have the highest overall mortality rate of all mental illnesses, at a rate of 10 to 15 per cent, making them one of the leading causes of premature death in the country.
quick facts about eating disorders:
adolescent (10-17) prevalence:
42 per cent of all cases
young adult (18-26) prevalence:
29 per cent of all cases
adult (27-105) prevalence:
13.7 to 14.8 per cent of all cases
annual economic cost:
$24, 017 per person with an eating disorder annually (hospitalization costs only)
key risk factors for developing an eating disorder
the key risk factors for developing an eating disorder include:
- having a close relative with an eating disorder or other mental health condition or a personal history of a mental health condition or substance use disorder
- a history of dieting
- type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent)
- body image dissatisfaction
- emotional dysregulation
- impulsivity
- cognitive inflexibility
- avoidance motivation
- weight stigma
- teasing or bullying
- social appearance idealization
- acculturation
- loneliness and isolation
- traumatic experiences
what is the current rate of eating disorders in canada?
eating disorders continue to rise significantly in canada, with the covid-19 pandemic marked as a turning point for these rising numbers. during the first two years of the pandemic, emergency room visits for an eating disorder and its symptoms rose at a rate of 126 per cent.
according to the national initiative for eating disorders, roughly 2.9 million people have an eating disorder today. the age groups most affected are young people and children (42 per cent of all cases) and young adults (29 per cent).
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there are several types of eating disorders:
- anorexia: eating too little or not at all, dealing with intense fear of looking overweight or gaining weight, experiencing body dysmorphia, may also use diet pills, excessive exercise, or laxatives to avoid weight gain
- bulimia: overeat, or binge eat, and make themselves purge (vomit) afterwards to make up for it or use laxatives, excessive exercise, or diuretics to prevent weight gain
- binge eating: overeating without control, eating when not hungry, feelings of shame or guilt afterward, gaining weight and are at risk for developing obesity
- avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (arfid): avoid foods and eating, lose weight but aren’t’ typically afraid of gaining weight and don’t tend to have a poor body image – this disorder is more tied to an aversion to food rather than a body image or weight issues.
living with any type of eating disorder can be especially harmful because it can often lead to:
- negative mood changes
- emotional problems
- low-self worth or self-esteem
- other mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders
- low or high blood pressure
- slow or irregular heartbeats
- tiredness, weakness, or fainting spells
- constipation and bloating
- irregular or nonexistent menstrual periods
- weak bones
- delayed puberty and growth
- suicidal ideation or actions
- diabetes
- high cholesterol and triglycerides
- fatty liver disease
- sleep apnea
- malnourishment
- the need for tube feeding
- death
roughly 1,000 to 1,500 people in canada die from an eating disorder each year, when looking at two specific types alone: anorexia or bulimia. these numbers do not take into account deaths that occur due to other types of eating disorders or complications of having an eating disorder.
hospitalizations for eating disorders have increased by 139 per cent since 2002, with the greatest increases seen in males (416 per cent), teens between 12 and 14 (196 per cent), and those with eating disorders other than bulimia and anorexia (255 per cent). the average time spent in the hospital by those with eating disorders is roughly 33.5 days.
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eating disorders by demographic and type in canada
girls and women are more likely than men to develop eating disorders throughout their lifetimes, as are younger canadians, though men and boys can still develop the disorder. when looking at age groups alone, eating disorders are broken down into three categories:
- adolescent (10-17): 42 per cent
- young adult (18-26): 29 per cent
- adult (2-105): 7-14.8 per cent
hospitalizations for eating disorders occur the most in females overall, with those aged 15-17 accounting for the most emergency room visits for eating disorders in 2023-2024.
anorexia and bulimia affect the most women in canada, at rates of 0.5-4 per cent and 1-4 per cent, respectively, whereas binge eating disorder affects roughly 2 per cent of canadians. approximately 90 per cent of all anorexia and bulimia cases develop in girls or women, with binge-eating disorder affecting both sexes equally.
eating disorders are also more common in people with:
- depression
- anxiety
- obsessive-compulsive disorder
- substance use disorder
- some personality disorders
- those who have certain careers where body image is important, such as modelling, dancing, and athletes
people who come from cultures that have strong gender stereotypes are also more likely to develop eating disorders, as in some cultures, women are “meant” to be thin and small, whereas men are “meant” to be strong, lean, and muscular.
financial impact of eating disorders in canada
assessing the overall financial impact of eating disorders is challenging in canada as data is scarce, many people go undiagnosed, and a lot of the data that exists centres around hospitalization costs only.
the average per person per year cost for hospitalizations associated with eating disorders is $24,017.
in terms of indirect healthcare costs, research shows that productivity losses due to reduced employment, absenteeism, and premature mortality totalled 18 million per year.
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resources and support for eating disorders in canada
canada has several resources available for people living with eating disorders. they include:
- the national eating disorder information centre (nedic)
- eating disorder hope
- hopewell
- bulimia anorexia nervosa association (bana)
- ontario community outreach program for eating disorders
- eating disorders foundation of canada (edfc)
- national initiative for eating disorders (nied)
- eating disorders association of canada (edac-atac)
connecting with these organizations can help people and their families living with eating disorders find support, information, and potential treatment options.
with more awareness surrounding eating disorders, people who experience them may be more inclined to come forward and find adequate treatment without facing the same stigma that continues to be a barrier for many individuals.
frequently asked questions:
are eating disorders really that dangerous?
yes, eating disorders can be significantly dangerous. in some cases, an untreated eating disorder can lead to life-threatening consequences.
how common are eating disorders in canada?
eating disorders are thought to affect as many as 2.9 million people in canada, with roughly 2 to 3 per cent meeting diagnostic criteria for at least one type of eating disorder. that said, it’s thought that the number is much higher as many people with eating disorders go undiagnosed.
do eating disorders only happen to females?
while females make up the majority of people who have an eating disorder, they can affect both sexes and all genders.
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