Eating disorders involve serious disturbances in eating behavior, such as extreme and unhealthy reduction of food intake or severe overeating, as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape or weight.

The main types of eating disorders are anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder

More than 7 million women and 1 million men experience and eating disroder in this country alone

Eating disorders frequently develop during adolescence or ealry adulthood, and females are much more likely than males to develop them

Researchers estimate that as many as 20-30% of college-age women may display bulimic behaviors

An estimated 2-3% of young women develop bulimia, 1 in 250 are estimated to be suffering from anorexia nervosa, and 2% from binge eating disorder

Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other psychiatric disorders such as depression, substance abuse, and anxiety disorders

In addition, people who suffer from eating disorders can experience a wide range of psysical health complications including: serious heart conditions and kidney failure which may lead to death, cessation of menstruation, erosion of tooth enamel and increased cavities, lightheadedness and dizziness of fainting, sensitivity to cold, dry skin and thinning scalp hair, mortality rate is 5-15% (lower with treatment)