The Prevalence of Preadolescent Eating Disorders in the United States

Abstract

PurposeThe prevalence of eating disorders (EDs) in young children remains relatively unknown. Here, we aimed to assess the prevalence of anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge ED (BED), and their subclinical derivatives, among 10- to 11-year-old children in the United States. MethodsCross-sectional data from the year 1 sample of the nationwide Adolescent Cognitive Brain Development study were extracted, and unadjusted prevalence of EDs was reported, as per DSM-5 criteria. ResultsAmong 10- to 11-year-old children in the United States, no cases of AN were reported. The prevalence of BN was negligible, whereas the prevalence of BED was 1.1%. The prevalence of subclinical AN, BN, and BED was 6%, 0.2%, and 0.5%, respectively. DiscussionBED is the most prevalent ED subtype among preadolescent children in the United States, although subclinical markers for all ED subtypes are evident in this age range.