What are the three most common eating disorders in order from highest to lowest prevalence?

December 31, 2025 •

3 min read

Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) is statistically the most prevalent eating disorder in community clinics. Understanding what are the three most common eating disorders in order of prevalence—OSFED, Binge Eating Disorder (BED), and Bulimia Nervosa (BN)—is crucial for increasing awareness and promoting early intervention.

Quick Summary

This article outlines the three most prevalent eating disorders—OSFED, BED, and BN—exploring symptoms, prevalence, and treatment strategies to foster better understanding and support.

Key Points

Prevalence Order: The three most common eating disorders, from highest to lowest prevalence, are Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED), Binge Eating Disorder (BED), and Bulimia Nervosa (BN).
OSFED's Broad Category: OSFED is the most common diagnosis and includes a wide range of subclinical and atypical eating disorder presentations that cause significant distress.
BED's Distinction: Binge Eating Disorder is defined by recurrent episodes of bingeing without the regular use of compensatory behaviors like purging.
BN's Cycle: Bulimia Nervosa is characterized by a cycle of binge eating and inappropriate compensatory behaviors, often accompanied by feelings of shame.
Severity is Independent of Prevalence: The severity of an eating disorder, including its health risks, is not dictated by how common it is.
Treatment is Effective: A multidisciplinary approach involving psychotherapy, nutritional counseling, and sometimes medication is effective for all types of eating disorders.
Early Intervention Matters: Early treatment is crucial for improving outcomes and preventing serious long-term complications.

The Surprising Reality of Eating Disorder Prevalence

While many people associate eating disorders with Anorexia Nervosa, prevalence statistics reveal a different picture entirely. In fact, a condition formerly known as Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), and now categorized as Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED), is the most commonly diagnosed eating disorder. Following OSFED are Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN). This ranking highlights that many individuals struggling with eating disorders do not fit neatly into traditional diagnostic boxes but still suffer from severe and significant symptoms.

1: Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)

OSFED is the most common eating disorder, covering presentations causing significant distress or impairment without fully meeting criteria for Anorexia, Bulimia, or BED. It was previously known as EDNOS and ensures individuals with clinically significant eating issues can get treatment even without meeting all standard criteria.

Common Presentations of OSFED OSFED includes conditions such as Atypical Anorexia Nervosa, Subthreshold Bulimia Nervosa, Subthreshold Binge Eating Disorder, Purging Disorder, and Night Eating Syndrome. These presentations vary in symptoms but all cause distress or impairment.

2: Binge Eating Disorder (BED)

BED is the second most prevalent, marked by recurrent episodes of eating large food amounts rapidly with a sense of lost control, but without compensatory behaviors. It affects about 2.8% of U.S. adults and is more common in women. BED is often linked to obesity and depression.

Key Features of BED BED involves loss of control during binges, significant distress, absence of compensatory behaviors, and frequently co-occurs with anxiety and depression.

3: Bulimia Nervosa (BN)

Bulimia Nervosa is the third most common, with a lifetime prevalence of roughly 1.0% in U.S. adults. It involves binge eating followed by compensatory actions like purging or excessive exercise. People with Bulimia usually maintain a normal or near-normal weight and often experience co-occurring mental health conditions.

The Bulimia Cycle Bulimia follows a cycle of binge eating, feeling a loss of control, engaging in compensatory behaviors, and experiencing guilt and shame.

Comparison of the Three Most Common Eating Disorders


Feature	Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED)	Binge Eating Disorder (BED)	Bulimia Nervosa (BN)
Prevalence	Highest.	Second highest (approx. 2.8% lifetime).	Third highest (approx. 1.0% lifetime).
Binge Eating	May occur at a less frequent or intense level.	Core feature.	Core feature.
Compensatory Behaviors	May occur at a less frequent or intense level, or purging without bingeing.	Absent.	Core feature.
Weight	Highly variable.	Often overweight or obese.	Typically normal weight.
Health Risks	Vary depending on presentation.	Obesity, diabetes, heart disease.	Electrolyte imbalances, dental issues, cardiac risks.

The Path to Recovery

Recognizing these disorders is key to recovery, and early intervention significantly improves outcomes. Treatment for OSFED, BED, and BN is often multidisciplinary, including psychotherapy (CBT, DBT, FBT), nutritional counseling, and sometimes medication. Support groups can also be beneficial.

For more information and resources, the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is a valuable source.

Conclusion

OSFED is the most common eating disorder, followed by BED and BN. Despite Anorexia Nervosa being well-known, it is less prevalent than these three. All eating disorders are serious and require professional care. Severity is based on the impact on health, not prevalence. Increased awareness and early treatment can lead to better outcomes.

Visit the National Eating Disorders Association website for comprehensive resources

Frequently Asked Questions

OSFED is the diagnostic category for eating disorders that cause significant distress or impairment but do not meet the full criteria for Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, or Binge Eating Disorder. It is technically the most common eating disorder.

The main difference is the presence of compensatory behaviors. People with BED experience recurrent binge-eating episodes but do not engage in regular compensatory actions like purging or excessive exercise. Individuals with BN follow their binge-eating episodes with regular compensatory behaviors.

No, while it is perhaps the most well-known, Anorexia Nervosa is actually the least common of the major eating disorders, with a lifetime prevalence significantly lower than OSFED, BED, and BN.

Eating disorders frequently co-occur with other mental health issues. Anxiety disorders and mood disorders, particularly major depressive disorder, are common alongside OSFED, BED, and BN.

Yes. While prevalence rates may be higher among women for some disorders, eating disorders affect individuals of all genders. Binge Eating Disorder, in particular, affects a significant number of men.

Treatment usually involves a combination of psychotherapy (like CBT), nutritional counseling, and sometimes medication to address underlying issues. A multidisciplinary team approach is often most effective.

All eating disorders carry serious health risks. OSFED risks depend on the specific presentation, BED is linked to obesity and related health problems, and BN can cause severe electrolyte imbalances and cardiac issues.