Most common eating disorder

The most common eating disorder is anorexia nervosa. According to the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders, anorexia claims five to ten percent of the lives it affects within ten years and another eighteen to twenty percent of anorexics will die with twenty years of developing the eating disorder. In addition, only thirty to forty percent of people who suffer from anorexia will ever make a full recovery.

Anorexia nervosa is the number one killer of girls and young women ages fifteen to twenty-four. Twenty percent of these girls will die due to complications caused from the anorexia or suicide.

Probably the most well known anorexic woman was Karen Carpenter. While in a treatment facility for just over a year she gained thirty pounds which brought her up to 107 pounds! It appeared she was finally on her way to recovery after a ten-year battle. Sadly, the damage had already been done and she would never fully recover. She died on February 4, 1983 at the age of 32. The “official” cause of death was listed as emetine cardio toxicity, a complication of the damage done to Karen’s body as a result of the anorexia.

After her death, treatment plans, in-house facilities, awareness, and education about anorexia nervosa started popping up everywhere. Although Karen lost her life to her anorexia, she is credited with saving hundreds of young girls lives.

Although anorexia is still a huge problem today despite Karen’s story, it is at least recognized as a mental disorder and treatment is available.