Significantly More Women Show Signs of Eating Disorders
The proportion of women engaging in behaviors associated with a risk of developing an eating disorder has doubled since the year 2000, according to a new study from the National Institute of Public Health.
They are dieting even when there is no reason to. They feel guilty when they eat. And they find it uncomfortable to eat with others.
These are some of the early signs of an eating disorder – signs that are now seen in more and more Danish women.
A new study from the National Institute of Public Health shows that the proportion of women aged 16 years or older who display eating disorder risk behaviors has increased from 10 percent in 2000 to 21 percent in 2023. That is more than a doubling in just over two decades.
It is not only young women who exhibit risk behaviors. The increase is seen in all age groups – but is most pronounced among women aged 25-34 years, where the proportion with risk behavior has risen from 12 to 27 percent.
The study has just been published in the Journal of Eating Disorders.
“Our results show a very clear increase in the proportion of women with eating disorder risk behaviors. This suggests that many women in Denmark feel great pressure regarding their body, weight, and eating – and this is not just an issue among young girls. Disordered eating is certainly not only a youth phenomenon,” says postdoc and lead author of the study, Heidi Rosendahl.
The study is based on data from the nationwide Danish Health and Morbidity Surveys, which in 2000, 2005, and 2023 measured early signs of eating disorders using a validated screening tool consisting of eight questions about eating habits, weight, and body image. In total, more than 9,000 women took part.
Stress and Eating Disorders Go Hand in Hand
In addition to mapping overall trends, the researchers also examined which factors are associated with eating disorder risk behaviors. One pattern stands out clearly: stress markedly increases the risk – regardless of age.
“It is striking that stress plays such a significant role across all age groups. It may suggest that food and control in relation to eating can become a way to cope with life’s chaos,” says Heidi Rosendahl.
The study also shows links between eating disorder risk behaviors and loneliness, smoking, and both very high and very low BMI. In particular, women with high BMI are more likely to display signs of risk behaviors – challenging the common belief that eating disorders are primarily associated with low BMI.
“In the past, anorexia and bulimia were often considered the most common eating disorders. But today we know that binge eating disorder (BED) is far more common – and this is reflected in our results. We can see that those with the highest BMI are at the greatest risk of exhibiting eating disorder risk behaviors,” explains Rosendahl.
A Serious and Often Overlooked Disorder
Eating disorders are among the mental illnesses with the highest mortality rates. Yet they receive far less attention than, for example, anxiety and depression.
Research also shows that only about half of those who develop a clinical eating disorder fully recover.
The researchers therefore hope the study can help raise awareness and encourage earlier detection and prevention.
“The consequences of eating disorders can be severe. We hope our results will inspire stronger efforts to prevent eating disorders,” says Heidi Rosendahl.
The figure shows the proportion of women aged 16 or older with eating disorder risk behaviors, measured by the RiBED-8 screening tool, by age group, in 2000, 2005, and 2023.
Contact: Postdoc Heidi Rosendahl, phone: +45 6550 7792, email: harj@sdu.dk, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark.