Highlights

• In 2019, 16% of adults aged over 16 (19% of women and 13% of men) screened positive for a possible eating disorder. This included 4% (5% of women and 3% of men) reported that their feelings about food had interfered with their ability to work, meet personal responsibilities or enjoy a social life.
• The proportion of adults over 16 who screened positive for a possible eating disorder increased as household income decreased.
• Body Mass Index (BMI) status was associated with screening positive for a possible eating disorder. Obese and morbidly obese adults were more likely to screen positive, compared with adults in lower BMI categories (23% of obese, 42% of morbidly obese adults, compared with between 11% and 14% of those in the underweight, normal weight and overweight categories).
• Adults who screened positive for a potential eating disorder were more likely than others to have seen their GP in the last 12 months (82%, compared with 74%); to have seen their GP three or more times (50%, compared with 36%); and to have consulted for a mental health, nervous or emotional problem (24%, compared with 10%). They were also more likely to have received counselling or therapy (16%, compared with 7%).

Download the report and tables here.