Key Takeaways Eating disorders can negatively impact a person's health, with effects that may last for many years. The likelihood of org...
Key Takeaways
Eating disorders can negatively impact a person's health, with effects that may last for many years.
The likelihood of organ failure, fractured bones, heart failure, diabetes, mental health issues, and death significantly increases within the first year after being diagnosed with an eating disorder.
Some of these dangers continue to be significantly severe even after many years
THURSDAY, Nov. 20, 2025 (Articlepedia TodayNews) — A recent study highlights that eating disorders can negatively impact both a person's physical and mental well-being, with effects that may persist for many years.
Anorexia, bulimia, overeating, and similar conditions carry a significant risk of health issues such asdiabetes, kidney or liver failure, fractured bones and early death, researchers said.
The risk is extremely high during the first year following an eating disorder diagnosis, though it may continue for many years, according to researchers who published their findings on November 18 in the journal.BMJ Medicine.
"This research emphasizes the significance of continuous surveillance for long-term physical health effects in people who have had eating disorders," stated the team of researchers led byCatharine Morgan, a public health researcher at the University of Manchester.
In the research, scientists examined medical records of over 24,700 individuals aged 10 to 44 who received an eating disorder diagnosis, and compared them with 493,000 people without such conditions.
Findings indicated that individuals with eating disorders were:
Six times more prone to experience kidney failure.
Almost seven times more prone to acquire liver disease.
Six times more prone to develop osteoporosis.
Two times more likely to experienceheart failure.
Three times as likely to acquire diabetes.
7 times more probable to possessdepression.
Over nine times more likely to engage in self-harm.
14 times more prone to attempt suicide.
In general, individuals suffering from eating disorders faced a more than four times higher risk of dying earlier due to any reason, and a five times greater likelihood of passing away from unexpected causes such as suicide.
Several of these risks continued to be significantly elevated even years following the diagnosis of eating disorders, according to researchers.
For instance, scientists discovered that the likelihood of kidney and liver disease was still 2.5 to 4 times greater after 5 years, whereas the general risk of early death stayed 2 to 3 times higher.
Ten years following their diagnosis, individuals with eating disorders continued to experience higher mortality rates. For example, their risk of suicide was still almost three times greater after a decade.
"our data highlight the significant long-term impacts of eating disorders and underline the possible chance for primary care to play a more important part in providing assistance and ongoing monitoring for those recovering from such conditions," researchers stated.
"Ensuring that medical professionals understand the long-term impacts of eating disorders and the importance of continuous assistance in addressing present symptoms and promoting recovery is crucial," the group stated.
In an editorial, researchers from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, supported the team's findings.
"Millions of people around the globe suffer from eating disorders, but the effects are often overlooked," stated the editorial team headed byJennifer Couturier, a professor in psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at McMaster University.
Eating disorders impact various organ systems, necessitating a coordinated approach to effectively treat patients," the editorial team stated. "This highlights the crucial role of primary care providers in guiding and managing [their] treatment, indicating that primary care environments are suitable for early and continuous intervention.
More information
The American Psychiatric Association has additional information oneating disorders.
SOURCES: BMJ, press release, November 18, 2025;BMJ Medicine, Nov. 18, 2025
What It Means for You
Individuals who have been diagnosed with eating disorders need to recognize their heightened susceptibility to severe medical issues.
