Eating Disorders Emerge as Major Public Health Threat in Australia and Globally

Published on 6.13.25

  The alarming rise in eating disorder statistics has brought global mental health concerns to the forefront. According to recent reports, anorexia nervosa is one of the most deadly psychiatric diseases, with a higher mortality rate than road fatalities in some regions. In Australia alone, 1.1 million people live with eating disorders, resulting in 1273 deaths in 2023. Associate Professor Andrea Phillipou's personal experience with her aunt's death from anorexia has driven her research into the condition. She advocates for a holistic approach to treating anorexia, recognizing it as both a physical and mental health issue. Nathalie Godart, a French psychiatrist, notes that social media can serve as both triggers and accelerators of eating disorders by normalizing extreme thinness and unhealthy behaviors among young people. The lack of funding for research into anorexia is also a concern, with Phillipou describing it as an "under-funded area of research".

References

Related Posts


Australia Tackles Weight-Based Bullying and Eating Disorders
6.1.25
Australia has been at the forefront of addressing body shaming through its national conversation on body image, a critical initiative to promote positive body image and combat mental health issues....
See Full Post
Social Media Triggers Eating Disorder Epidemic
6.3.25
The rise of social media has been linked to a significant increase in eating disorders among young women and girls. According to research, the global prevalence of eating disorders rose...
See Full Post

Back

See Newsfeed: Mental Health