There are different kinds of eating disorders that need care from a doctor or health professional.

• About 3-5% teenage girls have an eating disorder.
• Anorexia is more common in girls, but 4-10% of teens with eating disorders are boys.
• Eating disorders can be very dangerous. They have one of the highest death rates of all mental health problems, with up to 6% of people dying from them.
• Many teens with eating disorders also have a condition called obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Parents, teachers, coaches or instructors may notice signs of anorexia or bulimia, but many people with anorexia or bulimia try to keep it secret. Usually, a child psychiatrist or mental health professional diagnoses anorexia or bulimia.

Staff in our Adolescent Health and Medicine Program are specially trained to help teens and young adults manage all the health problems they may face — from routine to serious.