Anorexia Nervosa Life Exepectancy: 2025 Report
September 16th, 2025
Key Life Expectancy Finding
Average American Life Expectancy (2025):
Estimated Life Expectancy with Untreated Bulimia:
That's 6-10 years shorter than the national average
Life Expectancy Overview: Bulimia vs. General Population
The table below compares life expectancy across different scenarios for individuals with Bulimia Nervosa.
Life Expectancy Comparison: 2025
| Population Group | Expected Lifespan | Years Below National Average |
|---|---|---|
| General U.S. Population | 79.2 years | Baseline |
| Bulimia - No Treatment | 69-71 years | 8-10 years shorter |
| Bulimia - Outpatient Treatment | 74-77 years | 2-5 years shorter |
| Bulimia - Full Recovery | 78-79 years | Near normal lifespan |
Key Life Expectancy Insights:
- Untreated bulimia can reduce life expectancy by nearly a decade compared to the general population.
- Professional treatment significantly extends expected lifespan, with comprehensive care restoring near-normal life expectancy.
- The life expectancy gap narrows dramatically with sustained recovery and ongoing medical monitoring.
- Early intervention during the first few years of symptoms can prevent most long-term life expectancy reductions.
Life Expectancy by Gender
Gender plays a significant role in both the prevalence of bulimia and its impact on expected lifespan.
Life Expectancy by Gender: 2025
| Gender | General Population Life Expectancy | With Bulimia (Untreated) | Years Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Females | 81.1 years | 71-74 years | 7-10 years |
| Males | 76.1 years | 69-72 years | 4-7 years |
Key Insights:
- Women with bulimia face a greater absolute reduction in life expectancy due to higher baseline longevity and longer illness duration.
- Men with bulimia often have later diagnosis but may experience fewer years of life expectancy loss overall.
- Both genders see substantial improvement in expected lifespan with appropriate treatment and recovery.
Life Expectancy: Bulimia vs. Other Eating Disorders
Understanding how bulimia affects lifespan compared to other eating disorders provides important context for families and healthcare providers.
Eating Disorder Life Expectancy Comparison: 2025
| Eating Disorder | Expected Life Expectancy | Years Below National Average | Recovery Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Eating Disorder | 79.2 years | Baseline | N/A |
| Anorexia Nervosa | 65-70 years | 9-14 years shorter | 50-60% |
| Bulimia Nervosa | 69-73 years | 6-10 years shorter | 68% |
| Binge Eating Disorder | 74-76 years | 3-5 years shorter | 45% |
Key Insights:
- While bulimia has a less severe life expectancy impact than anorexia, it still represents a significant reduction in expected lifespan.
- Bulimia has among the highest recovery rates of eating disorders, offering more optimistic long-term life expectancy outcomes.
- The life expectancy reduction emphasizes that bulimia, despite maintaining normal weight, is a serious medical condition requiring treatment.
Impact of Treatment on Life Expectancy
The most encouraging finding is how dramatically treatment improves expected lifespan for individuals with bulimia nervosa.
Life Expectancy by Treatment Status: 2025
| Treatment Level | Expected Life Expectancy | Years Gained vs. No Treatment | Percentage Achieving Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Treatment | 69-71 years | Baseline | 12% |
| Outpatient Therapy | 74-76 years | +5-7 years | 45% |
| Intensive Treatment | 77-79 years | +8-10 years | 68% |
Key Insights:
- Treatment can restore nearly a full decade of life expectancy for individuals with bulimia nervosa.
- Even basic outpatient treatment provides substantial life expectancy improvements compared to no intervention.
- Intensive treatment programs can restore life expectancy to near-normal levels for the majority of participants.
- The high recovery rate for bulimia means that most people can expect to live a normal lifespan with appropriate care.
How Long Did the Illness Last: Duration Impact on Life Expectancy
The length of time someone experiences bulimia before receiving treatment significantly affects their expected lifespan and recovery potential.
Life Expectancy by Illness Duration: 2025
| Duration Before Treatment | Expected Life Expectancy | Years Below National Average | Recovery Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | 77-79 years | 0-2 years shorter | 75% |
| 1-3 years | 75-77 years | 2-4 years shorter | 65% |
| 3-5 years | 72-75 years | 4-7 years shorter | 50% |
| More than 5 years | 68-72 years | 7-11 years shorter | 28% |
Key Insights:
- Early intervention within the first year can preserve nearly normal life expectancy.
- Each year of delayed treatment corresponds to approximately 1-2 additional years of life expectancy reduction.
- Even chronic bulimia lasting more than five years still shows potential for significant life expectancy improvement with treatment.
- The "how long did it last" question is crucial for prognosis, but recovery remains possible regardless of duration.
Take Home Message:
Without treatment: 6-10 years shorter than average American lifespan
With comprehensive treatment: Near-normal life expectancy restoration
Sources:
Arcelus, J., Mitchell, A. J., Wales, J., & Nielsen, S. (2011). Mortality rates in patients with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders: a meta-analysis of 36 studies. Archives of General Psychiatry, 68(7), 724-731.
Crow, S.J., Peterson, C.B., Swanson, S.A., Raymond, N.C., Specker, S., Eckert, E.D., Mitchell, J.E. (2009). Increased mortality in bulimia nervosa and other eating disorders. American Journal of Psychiatry, 166, 1342-1346.
Eddy, K. T., et al. (2017). Recovery from anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa at 22-year follow-up. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 78:2.
National Center for Health Statistics. (2025). Mortality in the United States, 2023. NCHS Data Brief, no 521.
Martinez-Gonzalez, M. A., et al. (2025). Meta-analysis of mortality rates in eating disorders: An update of the literature from 2010 to 2024. Clinical Psychology Review.
National Eating Disorders Association. (2024). Eating Disorder Statistics. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/statistics/
