Social and economic cost of eating disorders in the United States: Evidence to inform policy action

Abstract

Objective: To estimate one-year costs of eating disorders in the United States (U.S.) from a societal perspective, including the costs to the U.S. health system, individual and family productivity costs, lost wellbeing, and other societal economic costs, by setting and payer. Findings will inform needed policy action to mitigate the impact of eating disorders in the U.S.

Method: Costs of eating disorders were estimated using a bottom-up cost-of-illness methodology, based on the estimated one-year prevalence of eating disorders. Intangible costs of reduced wellbeing were also estimated using disability-adjusted life years.

Results: Total economic costs associated with eating disorders were estimated to be $64.7 billion (95% CI: $63.5-$66.0 billion) in fiscal year 2018-2019, equivalent to $11,808 per affected person (95% CI: $11,754-$11,863 per affected person). Otherwise Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder accounted for 35% of total economic costs, followed by Binge Eating Disorder (30%), Bulimia Nervosa (18%) and Anorexia Nervosa (17%). The substantial reduction in wellbeing associated with eating disorders was further valued at $326.5 billion (95% CI: $316.8-$336.2 billion).

Discussion: The impact of eating disorders in the U.S. is substantial when considering both economic costs and reduced wellbeing (nearly $400 billion in fiscal year 2018-2019). Study findings underscore the urgency of identifying effective policy actions to reduce the impact of eating disorders, such as through primary prevention and screening to identify people with emerging or early eating disorders in primary care, schools, and workplaces and ensuring access to early evidence-based treatment.

Keywords: burden of disease; costs; eating disorders; economic review; healthcare costs.