Because of the secretiveness and shame associated with eating disorders, many cases are probably not reported. In addition, many individuals struggle with body dissatisfaction and sub-clinical disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. For example, it has been shown that 80% of American women are dissatisfied with their appearance.

The Drive for Thinness

• 42% of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner).
• 81% of 10 year olds are afraid of being fat.
• The average American woman is 5’4" tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5’11" tall and weighs 117 pounds.
• Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women.

Dieting

• 51% of 9 and 10 year-old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet.
• 46% of 9-11 year-olds are "sometimes" or "very often" on diets, and 82% of their families are "sometimes" or "very often" on diets.
• 91% of women recently surveyed on a college campus had attempted to control their weight through dieting, 22% dieted "often" or "always".
• 95% of all dieters will regain their lost weight in 1-5 years.
• 35% of "normal dieters" progress to pathological dieting. Of those, 20-25% progress to partial or full-syndrome eating disorders.
• 25% of American men and 45% of American women are on a diet on any given day.
• Americans spend over $40 billion on dieting and diet-related products each year.