AUSTRALIA HAS THE WORLD'S HIGHEST RATE OF ANOREXIA AND BULIMIA: SIGNS YOU NEED TO KNOW
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It's a ranking no country wants.
A major international study has found Australia has the highest rate of anorexia and bulimia in the world, and experts say it's a wake-up call for families, friends and health services alike.
The research, published in JAMA Psychiatry this week as part of the Global Burden of Disease project, tracked the two eating disorders across the globe from 1990 to 2023.
It estimated Australia's rate at 1,026.5 cases for every 100,000 people, the highest of any country.
What the anorexia study found
Worldwide, cases of anorexia and bulimia have climbed by 71 per cent since 1990.
In 2023, an estimated 18.1 million people were living with one of the two conditions: about 3.9 million with anorexia and 14.2 million with bulimia.
The researchers expect numbers to keep rising through to 2050.
Women and girls carry much of the burden, making up nearly 70 per cent of cases globally, and about 41 per cent of cases were in young people aged 10 to 24.
Because the team used survey data rather than treatment records, they were able to count people who have never had access to care.
University of Queensland epidemiologist Damian Santomauro, the study's senior author, told the ABC Australia's ranking was "surprising and concerning".
He suggested social media and body image pressures may be playing a part, while also noting that differences in how countries collect survey data may partly explain the result.
The study only counted anorexia and bulimia, so other conditions such as binge eating disorder are not included in the figures.
It isn't only teenagers
The findings come as experts raise concerns about the return of ultra-thin beauty ideals online.
Melbourne psychologist Janet Lowndes, who runs an eating disorder clinic, told the ABC that up to a quarter of people with eating disorders are women aged 40 and over.
So while parents are understandably worried about their children, it's worth checking in with ourselves and our friends too.
Lowndes describes a "perfect storm" of diet culture, pointing to weight-loss medications, social media dieting content and the media's focus on thin bodies.
Warning signs to look out for
University of Canberra clinical psychologist Dr Vivienne Lewis says changes can be subtle.
Signs that someone may be struggling include becoming more critical of their appearance, skipping meals or cutting out certain foods, exercising excessively, frequently checking their body, or avoiding social activities because they're worried about how they look.
How to start a caring conversation
Dr Lewis suggests keeping conversations relaxed rather than turning them into a lecture.
Chatting while you scroll or watch something together, and asking what they think of the bodies they see, can open the door.
Questions such as whether an image has been edited, or whether someone is trying to sell something, help build a healthy dose of scepticism.
Try not to comment on anyone's weight or shape, even as a compliment, and focus instead on qualities like kindness, humour and talent.
If you're worried, you might gently say you've noticed they seem unhappy with how they look lately, then listen before rushing to reassure.
Our own habits matter as well.
Talking about food and movement as ways to look after ourselves and enjoy life, rather than as punishment, sends a powerful message to everyone around the kitchen table.
Where to find support
Eating disorders are serious but treatable, and early help makes a real difference.
If you're concerned about yourself or someone you love, a GP is a good first step.
The Butterfly Foundation National Helpline is available on 1800 33 4673, and the National Eating Disorders Collaboration has information on finding help.
If you need to talk to someone right now, Lifeline is available on 13 11 14.
