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Meta-Analysis
. 2022 Mar;27(2):415-428.
doi: 10.1007/s40519-021-01162-z. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

An update on the prevalence of eating disorders in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Jie Qian #  1 , Ying Wu #  2 , Fanxiao Liu  3 , Yikang Zhu  4 , Hua Jin  1 , Hongmei Zhang  5 , Yumei Wan  6 , Chunbo Li  4 , Dehua Yu  7
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

An update on the prevalence of eating disorders in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Jie Qian et al. Eat Weight Disord. 2022 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: To update the prevalence of eating disorders in the general population before 2021 and to analyze the distribution characteristics at different times and in different regions and sexes, as well as the diagnostic criteria.

Methods: Based on the method from a previous report by the authors, studies were identified from the following databases: PubMed/Medline, PsycINFO, ISI Web of Knowledge, Ovid and the 4 most important Chinese databases. Articles in English and Chinese before 2021 were retrieved. The data retrieved at this time were pooled with the data from a previous report for analyses.

Results: Thirty-three studies were identified, which included 18 studies supplemented in this retrieval. The pooled lifetime and 12-month prevalence of eating disorders were 0.91% (95% CI, 0.48-1.71) and 0.43% (95% CI, 0.18-0.78), respectively. The pooled lifetime and 12-month prevalence of the subgroup EDs (any), which covers all types of eating disorders, were 1.69% and 0.72%, respectively. The lifetime prevalence of AN, BN and BED was 0.16% (95% CI, 0.06-0.31), 0.63% (95% CI, 0.33-1.02) and 1.53% (95% CI, 1.00-2.17), respectively. The lifetime prevalence of EDs in Western countries was 1.89%, and was high at 2.58% in females. Prevalence studies using DSM-5 criteria were scarce.

Conclusions: The prevalence of eating disorders might be underestimated thus far. Not all types of EDs were included in a majority of epidemiological surveys, and the prevalence rates of the new types of EDs were significantly higher. Eating disorders were especially common in Western countries and in females. New diagnostic criteria should be used to comprehensively assess all types of eating disorders.

Level of evidence: 1, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Keywords: Anorexia nervosa (AN); Binge eating disorder (BED); Bulimia nervosa (BN); Eating disorders (EDs); General population; Prevalence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest related to this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Identification of studies included in the analysis
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The proportion of different diagnostic criteria, conduct decade, countries and regions
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The lifetime prevalence of eating disorders
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The lifetime prevalence of eating disorders over time
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
The lifetime prevalence of AN in different countries or regions
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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