Eating disorders
Eating disorders are characterised by preoccupation with weight, shape and calorie balance. Purging, overexercise and preoccupation with body image cause psychosocial and physical harm. Eating disorders typically begin in early to mid-adolescence, but can emerge at any age. The lifetime prevalence of anorexia nervosa in the general population in Western countries is about 1% in women and 0.5% in men. With treatment, around 50% of people with anorexia nervosa achieve full functional recovery. Adolescents have higher rates of full recovery and lower mortality than adults.
Remit and target users
This guideline provides recommendations based on current evidence for best practice in the management of people with eating disorders of all ages and gender groups, in any health or social care setting. Eating disorders covered are:
- anorexia nervosa
- bulimia nervosa
- binge eating disorder
- eating-disordered psychopathology occurring in the context of type 1 diabetes mellitus.
This guideline will be of interest to primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare professionals, education and social care professionals involved in the care of people with eating disorders, as well as patients and their families and carers.
How this guideline was developed
This guideline was developed using a standard methodology based on a systematic review of the evidence. Further details can be found in SIGN 50: A Guideline Developer’s Handbook.
Keeping up to date
This guideline was published in 2022 and will be considered for review in three years. The review history, and any updates to the guideline in the interim period, are noted in the update report.
Current < 3 years
