A recent study has revealed that eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating pose serious risks not only in the short term but also to long-term health.
According to research published in BMJ Medicine, these risks are highest during the first year after diagnosis but can persist for many years.
In the study, researchers from the University of Manchester analyzed medical records of 24,700 individuals aged 10 to 44 and compared them with 493,000 people who did not have eating disorders.
According to the findings, during the initial year, the risk of kidney failure was six times higher, liver diseases nearly seven times higher, osteoporosis six times higher, heart failure twice as high, and diabetes three times higher. There was also a significant rise in depression, self-harm and suicide attempts, while the overall risk of premature death was more than fourfold, with the highest rates linked to unnatural causes such as suicide.
The study also found that even after five years, the chances of kidney and liver diseases remained 2.5 to 4 times higher, and the risk of premature death persisted. Even after a decade, the risk of suicide remained nearly three times higher.
Experts said the findings highlight the need for long term monitoring of people with eating disorders, increasing awareness and education, and providing strong support to primary healthcare providers to ensure patients continue to receive consistent care.
