Studies have shown that without treatment, up to 20% of people with serious eating disorders die according to Anorexia Nervosa and Related Eating Disorders, Inc. It is also said that with treatment, 2 – 3% of people with anorexia die. Mortality rates from anorexia are known to be the highest of any psychological disorder. Only 60% are known to make a full recovery with treatment and about 20% make a partial recovery from this harmful disorder. The last 20% stay dangerously underweight and are seen frequently in emergency rooms, mental health clinics, inpatient hospital units, and eating disorder treatment programs. People with anorexia can suffer a number of potentially fatal medical conditions, including heart disease, potassium and magnesium imbalances that can lead to heart failure, kidney and liver disease, osteoporosis, dizziness and fainting, low blood pressure, ulcers, nausea, irregular heart rhythm, headaches, and a myriad of other physical problems. Anorexic statistics indicate that they also experience psychological problems as well such as anxiety, and depression. Most anorexics are known to be young women and about 10% are only males. About 1 – 5% of all female adolescents and young women are anorexic and the average age of onset is 17. It is extremely rare for children under the age of 10 to have the condition and women over the age of 40. Anorexia is shown to be much more prevalent in western culture than in non-western countries because of the media in western society, which portrays thin women as desirable and beautiful. However, anorexia is beginning to spread to the non-western countries due to the exposure of western culture and media. Only about 1 in 10 people receive treatment for their disorder. There are many reasons for this such as not having enough money to cover the treatment, or they may leave early because they still think they are fine and do not have this disorder. It costs about $1,000 per day for treatment and the treatment is supposed to last from 3 to 6 months. Some other related statistics of anorexia is that it is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents, about 40 – 60% of high school girls diet, 80% of 13 year old girls have dieted, 50% of girls between the ages of 13 and 15 believe they are overweight, and 40% of 9 year old girls dieted. These statistics are grim and hopefully the numbers will begin to decrease as more people with this disorder get treatment. http://www.mirror-mirror.org/anorexia-statistics.htm
