Eating disorders - the facts

There are no national statistics available on the prevalence of eating disorders in Ireland

There are no national statistics available on the prevalence of eating disorders in Ireland. However, it is widely documented that eating disorders most commonly appear in adolescent girls and young women in their early 20s. Recent studies suggest an increased incidence among males and among children.

Eating disorders are treatable. The sooner these disorders are diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome is likely to be.

Although there is no single cause for eating disorders, they can be triggered by concerns such as being overweight or having metabolic disturbances, social and cultural pressures, media pressures, family history of eating disorders, or other psychiatric disorders or upsetting life events.

Eating disorders frequently occur with other mental health problems such as depression, substance abuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder and anxiety.