US EditionResearchers Find Eating Disorders Have Long-Term Health Effects
A UK study of over 24,700 patients found eating disorders increase risks of organ failure, mental illness, and premature death, with some risks persisting for 10 years, researchers said.
- On Nov. 18, 2025 a team led by Catharine Morgan, epidemiologist, University of Manchester, published in BMJ Medicine analysing linked English health records from 1998–2018, tracking 24,709 people with diagnosed eating disorders matched to 493,001 controls for up to 10 years.
- Faced with gaps in long-term evidence, researchers studied rising UK eating-disorder rates since the COVID-19 pandemic using 1998–2018 Clinical Practice Research Datalink linked to Hospital Episode Statistics and death certification.
- In the first 12 months after diagnosis, people diagnosed with eating disorders faced 6 times higher renal failure, nearly 7 times higher liver disease, nearly 14 times higher suicide risk, and 7 times higher depression.
- Over the medium term, results show excess mortality rises from 43 extra deaths/10,000 and 184 extra unnatural deaths/100,000 at five years to 95 and 341 respectively at 10 years, and researchers say primary care providers should lead ongoing intervention.
- With scale and demographics in mind, an estimated 3.4 million people in the UK have eating disorders; a separate ARU study found 6.4% prevalence and 2.11 times greater multimorbidity, prompting calls for medical education and integrated care.
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The Norfolk Daily News
Eating Disorders Impact Health For Years, Researchers Find
Key Takeaways
The Long-Term Impacts of Eating Disorders Are Far More Serious Than You Might Realize
Eating disorders can take a serious toll on the body, prompting experts to call for overlooked long-term consequences to be addressed by healthcare services. A large study led by a team from the University of Manchester traced the short- and long-term outcomes for eating disorder (ED) patients in the UK, revealing that even 5 to 10 years after diagnosis, ED patients are at increased risk of death, as well as kidney failure, liver disease, diabet…
Health impacts of eating disorders complex and long-lasting, study finds
The health impacts of eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating, are not only complex, affecting many different organ systems, but long-lasting, finds a large tracking study, published in the open access journal BMJ Medicine.
Study reveals health impact of eating disorders
A new study has revealed a significant association between eating disorders and physical multimorbidity, shedding new light on the health risks faced by people with these conditions. The research explores the complex relationship between eating disorders, physical health, and other issues that can influence it.
Long-Term Effects of Eating Disorders: Serious Health Risks Explained
The enduring impact of eating disorders often surpasses common expectations, with serious long-term effects on both physical and mental health. These conditions can lead to chronic illness, emotional distress, and lasting challenges in daily life.
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