Teen Eating Disorder Statistics: 2025 Report

September 24th, 2025

This comprehensive analysis examines eating disorder prevalence among U.S. teenagers (ages 13-19), synthesized from national health surveys, clinical studies, and behavioral risk surveillance data conducted between 2022 and 2025. The data reveals significant patterns in adolescent eating disorder development and highlights critical trends that inform prevention and treatment strategies.

Teen eating disorders represent a critical public health concern, with prevalence rates continuing to rise across demographic groups. This report presents current statistics on eating disorder occurrence, risk factors, and outcomes among adolescents, with the goal of informing healthcare providers, educators, and families about the scope and characteristics of these conditions during this vulnerable developmental period.

Important Context: Teen eating disorder statistics reflect both clinical diagnoses and self-reported symptoms from large-scale health surveys. Many adolescents with eating disorders remain undiagnosed, suggesting actual prevalence rates may be higher than documented. Additionally, increased awareness and reduced stigma have contributed to higher reporting rates in recent years.

Overall Teen Eating Disorder Prevalence

Recent national surveys demonstrate that eating disorders affect a significant portion of the U.S. adolescent population, with rates varying by age, gender, and other demographic factors.

U.S. Teen Prevalence: 2024-2025

Metric	Value
Overall Teen Prevalence (Ages 13-18)	2.7%
Prevalence Ratio	1 in 37 teens
Peak Age for Onset	17-18 years (3.0%)
Hospital Visits Increase (2018-2022)	107.4%

Key Insights:

• Teen eating disorder prevalence has increased significantly, with 2.7% of adolescents experiencing an eating disorder during their teenage years.
• The highest risk period occurs during late adolescence (17-18 years), coinciding with major life transitions and college preparation.
• Healthcare utilization data shows a 107% increase in eating disorder-related hospital visits among teens, indicating both rising prevalence and increased help-seeking behavior.

Prevalence by Gender and Sexual Orientation

Eating disorders demonstrate clear patterns across gender and sexual orientation, with certain groups showing significantly elevated risk compared to the general teen population.

Teen Eating Disorder Rates by Demographics: 2024-2025

Demographic Group	Prevalence Rate	Prevalence Ratio
Teen Girls (13-18)	3.8%	1 in 26 girls
Teen Boys (13-18)	1.5%	1 in 67 boys
LGBTQ+ Teens	9.0%	1 in 11 LGBTQ+ teens
Transgender Teens	12.0%	1 in 8 transgender teens
Teen Athletes (Female)	6-45%	Variable by sport

Key Insights:

• Teen girls are 2.5 times more likely to develop eating disorders compared to teen boys, with prevalence rates of 3.8% versus 1.5%.
• LGBTQ+ teenagers show dramatically elevated risk at 9% prevalence, nearly four times higher than the general teen population.
• Transgender teens demonstrate the highest documented risk at 12% prevalence, highlighting the intersection of gender identity and eating disorder vulnerability.
• Female teen athletes in certain sports show prevalence rates ranging from 6-45%, with aesthetic and weight-dependent sports showing the highest rates.

Age-Specific Patterns

Eating disorder prevalence among teenagers shows distinct patterns across different ages, with risk increasing substantially during late adolescence as teens navigate identity development and preparation for adulthood.

Eating Disorder Prevalence by Teen Age Group: 2024-2025

Age Group	Prevalence Rate	Key Characteristics
Early Teens (13-14)	2.2%	Often coincides with puberty onset and body changes
Mid Teens (15-16)	2.5%	Peer pressure intensifies, social media influence peaks
Late Teens (17-18)	3.0%	College transition stress, independence pressures

Key Insights:

• Eating disorder risk increases with age throughout the teenage years, with 17-18 year olds showing the highest prevalence at 3.0%.
• Early adolescence (13-14) coincides with pubertal changes and initial body dissatisfaction, establishing vulnerability patterns.
• Late adolescence represents the highest risk period, as teens face college transitions, increased independence, and identity consolidation pressures.

Recent Trends and Contributing Factors

Multiple factors have contributed to changing patterns in teen eating disorder prevalence, including social media influence, pandemic effects, and evolving cultural pressures around body image and achievement.

Contributing Factors to Teen Eating Disorders: 2022-2025 Data

Factor	Impact on Teen Risk	Evidence
Social Media Use	Significantly increases risk	Higher body dissatisfaction, comparison behaviors
COVID-19 Pandemic	40% increase in symptoms	Isolation, routine disruption, increased anxiety
Academic Pressure	Elevated risk in high achievers	Perfectionism, control-seeking behaviors
Cyberbullying	2x higher risk	Weight-related teasing, social exclusion
Early Puberty	Increased vulnerability	Body dissatisfaction, peer comparison

Key Insights:

• The COVID-19 pandemic created a 40% increase in eating disorder symptoms among teens due to social isolation and routine disruption.
• Social media use significantly amplifies body dissatisfaction and comparison behaviors, particularly among younger teens.
• Cyberbullying victims show twice the risk of developing eating disorders, especially when bullying involves weight or appearance.
• Academic pressure and perfectionism contribute to eating disorder development as teens seek control through food and body management.

Treatment and Recovery Outcomes

Early intervention during the teenage years demonstrates significantly better outcomes compared to treatment initiated in adulthood, making recognition and prompt treatment critical for long-term recovery.

Teen Treatment Outcomes: 2024-2025

Outcome Measure	Rate
Full Recovery with Early Treatment	60-80%
Treatment Seeking Rate	28% of affected teens
Family-Based Treatment Success	75% for adolescents
Average Time to Recovery	1-2 years with treatment

Key Insights:

• Teens who receive early intervention show 60-80% full recovery rates, significantly higher than adults with eating disorders.
• Family-based treatment demonstrates 75% success rates for adolescents, making family involvement crucial for recovery.
• Only 28% of teens with eating disorders currently receive professional treatment, indicating substantial unmet need.
• Early treatment within the first three years of symptom onset produces the most favorable long-term outcomes.

Sources:

National Comorbidity Survey Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). "Lifetime Prevalence of Mental Disorders in U.S. Adolescents." 2024.

Swanson, S. A., Crow, S. J., Le Grange, D., Swendsen, J., & Merikangas, K. R. "Prevalence and Correlates of Eating Disorders in Adolescents." Archives of General Psychiatry, 2024.

BrightPath Behavioral Health. "Teen Eating Disorder Statistics 2024." March 2025.

National Eating Disorders Association. "Statistics & Research on Eating Disorders." 2024.

Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. "Eating Disorders in Adolescents: Treatment and Recovery Outcomes." 2025.