Quick answers to frequently asked questions about our services, resources, and eating disorder support. Find the information you need in one convenient place.
Recent research (Melisse et al., 2024) shows that eating disorders affect a growing number of individuals in the Arab world. A large national mental health survey conducted in Saudi Arabia found that about 3.2% of the individuals had an eating disorder at some point during the past year, which is known as the 12-month prevalence (the percentage of people who were affected within the last 12 months). When looking over an entire lifetime, around 6.1% of people had experienced an eating disorder at any point in their lives, this is called the lifetime prevalence (AlHadi et al., 2022).
Among the different types, binge-eating disorder is the most common (about 2.1% in the past year and 2.6% over a lifetime). Studies also indicate that roughly one in three individuals (between 23.8% and 34.8%) in Arab populations are at high risk of developing an eating disorder or showing early signs of an eating disorder. Several factors are increasing the risk for an eating disorder such as body-image dissatisfaction, a higher body weight, and being single, widowed, or divorced were the most frequent risk factors associated with these conditions in the Arab world (Melisse et al., 2020; Melisse et al., 2024).
Yes, men can and do develop eating disorders, even though for many years people believed eating disorders mainly affected young Caucasian women. That view has now changed, research shows that eating disorders occur in all parts of the world and in all genders and cultures (Culbert et al., 2021). However, eating disorders remain more common among women: about nine out of ten cases of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa occur in women, while one in ten are men. Binge-eating disorder, is which is the most occurring eating disorder, is more common in men: roughly two-thirds of cases are women and one-third are men (Hoek, 2016; Thapliyal & Hay, 2014).
Although many men struggle with disordered eating, they are often less likely to seek help or even recognize their symptoms because eating disorders are still seen as a “women’s disease.” Men who do seek treatment are more likely to drop out early or not complete treatment as compared to women. Reasons include shame, stigma, and the lack of male-focused treatment approaches (Melisse et al., 2025; Sonnenblick & Juarascio, 2026). Recent studies, highlight that for men, feelings of stigma and difficulty relating to treatment materials (which are often written for women) are key predictors of stopping therapy before completion (Lehe et al., 2024; Upton et al., 2025).
References
References
AlHadi, A. N., Almeharish, A., Bilal, L., Al-Habeeb, A., Al-Subaie, A., Naseem, M. T., & Altwaijri, Y. A. (2022). The prevalence and correlates of bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder, and anorexia nervosa: The Saudi National Mental Health Survey. The International Journal of Eating Disorders, 55(11), 1541–1552. https://doi.org/10.1002/eat.23790
Culbert, K. M., Sisk, C. L., & Klump, K. L. (2021). A narrative review of sex differences in eating disorders: Is there a biological basis? Clinical Therapeutics, 43(1), 95–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinthera.2020.12.003
Hoek, H. W. (2016). Review of the worldwide epidemiology of eating disorders. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 29(6), 336–339. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000282
Lehe, M. S., Halbeisen, G., Steins-Loeber, S., & Paslakis, G. (2024). Invisible walls? Stigma-related perceptions are associated with reduced help-seeking intentions for disordered eating in men. Journal of Eating Disorders, 12(1), 200. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40337-024-01152-3
Melisse, B., De Beurs, E., & Van Furth, E. F. (2020). Eating disorders in the Arab world: A literature review. Journal of Eating Disorders, 8(1). https://jeatdisord.biomedcentral.com/counter/pdf/10.1186/s40337-020-00336-x.pdf
Melisse, B., De Jonge, M., Van Den Berg, E., Dekker, J., & De Beurs, E. (2025). Predictors of dropout, outcome and relapse in web-based guided self-help cognitive behavioral therapy–enhanced among patients with binge-eating disorder. International Journal of Eating Disorders.
Melisse, B., van Furth, E., & Hoek, H. W. (2024). Systematic review of the epidemiology of eating disorders in the Arab world. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 37(6). https://doi.org/10.1097/yco.0000000000000960
Sonnenblick, R. M., & Juarascio, A. S. (2026). Men and women who seek treatment for binge-spectrum eating disorders have similar baseline characteristics. Appetite, 216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2025.108254
Thapliyal, P., & Hay, P. J. (2014). Treatment experiences of males with an eating disorder: A systematic review of qualitative studies. Translational Developmental Psychiatry, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.3402/tdp.v2.25552
Upton, E., Hill, A. J., & Traviss-Turner, G. D. (2025). Guided self-help for binge eating prior to weight management: The experience of clients and guides. Nutrients, 17(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17071103
If you’re concerned your child might have an eating disorder, it’s important to take your worries seriously — early support can make a big difference.
1. Start a gentle conversation without judgement Choose a calm, private moment to talk to your child, without any distractions. Express concern about what you’ve noticed using an open question and without judgement (“I’ve noticed you seem worried lately, can you tell me what’s troubling you?” or “I’ve seen you’re not eating well and I’m concerned”). Avoid focusing on weight, appearance, or blame — instead, focus on how they’re feeling.
Your child may feel scared, defensive or may not see anything is wrong. Reassure them that you love them, that you’re there to help, and that they’re not in trouble. Try to listen more than you speak, and avoid arguing about food or weight.
2. Seek professional help early Reach out to your GP or paediatrician as soon as possible. They can assess your child’s health and refer you to an eating disorder specialist — such as a clinical psychologist, psychiatrist, or dietitian trained in eating disorders. The earlier the intervention, the better the recovery outcomes. You want to find a multi-disciplinary service where the clinicians are specialised in eating disorders, rather than a general therapist, as the treatment is very specialist.
3. Don’t try to manage it alone Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions, not a “phase” or something that can be fixed by willpower. It’s important to involve professionals and build a support network for both your child and your family. Families might try to manage this themselves as a starting point, however this could mean that by the time support is sought, the eating disorder has already become more severe. Evidence tells us that early help can improve the outcome for children with eating disorders.
4. Get support from your child’s school Often schools might be the first to notice changes as children tend to skip lunch, throw food away or spend too much time in the bathroom after meals. Your child may have opened up to the school counsellor or given the opportunity, might find it easier to do so than to speak to parents. Schools are also involved during treatment to help monitor and support young people with their eating and emotions in school. You may also need to consider adjusted timetables or stopping sport. Seek support from the school early and they can guide you and your child on how to manage or where to get professional help.
5. Learn more about eating disorders and seek support for yourself Understanding eating disorders can help you respond more effectively. Many organisations and charities offer parent support groups, helplines, and educational resources to guide families through the process. Have a look at our resource page for guidance on this.
If your child’s physical health or safety is at immediate risk (for example, they are fainting, dehydrated, or have stopped eating or drinking altogether), seek urgent medical help or go to the nearest emergency department.
Yes, it is possible to recover from an eating disorder. Recovery often involves a combination of medical treatment, therapy, nutritional counseling, and support from healthcare professionals, family, and friends. The process can vary for each individual, but with proper care and support, many people successfully recover and regain their health both physically and emotionally. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, seeking help from a healthcare professional is an important first step.
The best therapies for eating disorders typically include the following evidence-based approaches:
Yes, it is possible for someone to have an eating disorder without being underweight. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder, can manifest in various ways that do not necessarily involve weight loss or being underweight. For example:
Exercise generally supports physical and mental health, but it can become unhealthy when it turns compulsive, causes harm, or interferes with daily life. Here are practical signs that exercise may have crossed into unhealthy territory. Key signs that exercise may be unhealthy
Binge eating is a complex behavior with biological, psychological, and social contributors. People binge for a mix of reasons, and the drivers can vary from person to person. Here are some of the most common factors that researchers and clinicians consider: