In brief
A new Global Burden of Disease analysis shows Australia leads the world with an estimated 1,026.5 cases of anorexia or bulimia per 100,000 residents. The report notes a 71% rise in these disorders globally from 1990 to 2023 and highlights the urgent need for improved mental‑health surveillance. Researchers point out that most cases involve young females, with a significant share between ages 10 and 24.
In Sydney, officials report that Australia now leads the world in the pre‑valence of two eating disorders, stating that about 1,026.5 people per 100,000 are affected by either anorexia or bulimia.
The figure comes from a global analysis drawn from the 2023 Global Burden of Disease study, shown on the Australian Science Media Center website. The study also projects that the number of people worldwide suffering from either disorder will continue to climb through 2050.
According to the analysis, 18.1 million people around the globe were living with one of the two disorders in 2023; 3.92 million had anorexia and 14.2 million had bulimia.
University of Queensland epidemiologist Damian Santomauro, senior author of the study, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that Australia’s ranking was “surprising and concerning.” In a
"Australia’s ranking was surprising and concerning,"he added, emphasizing the need for new prevention measures.
Female patients account for nearly 70 percent of the global cases, while roughly 41 percent of all sufferers are aged between 10 and 24. The report also highlights that the biggest increases over the past decades have occurred in East Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, calculated age‑standardized prevalence rates that were higher among females than males, at 318.3 per 100,000 for females versus 122.2 per 100,000 for males. It also showed that the worldwide prevalence of anorexia rose 10.7 percent and bulimia rose 20.9 percent from 1990 to 2023.
Health professionals in Australia say that the high rate signals gaps in early detection programs and a lack of culturally appropriate treatment options.
Some voices argue that the figures may reflect better screening in developed nations rather than a true spike in incidence. Others agree the numbers truly reflect a disturbing trend, citing the accelerated growth of digital self‑image pressures on youths.
Local university researchers are calling for the integration of eating‑disorder screening into routine primary care. “We have to embed surveillance into mental‑health checks,” they say, suggesting that an early‑intervention roadmap could limit the long‑term burden.
In restating the study’s conclusions, the Australian government has pledged to reinforce public‑awareness campaigns and to expand community‑based support for both patients and their families.
While the data highlight Australia’s position at the top of the list worldwide, the broader message underscores a global health crisis that extends beyond any single country.
