A new CDC survey of nearly 7,000 U.S. high school students found that about 40% reported binge eating in the past month, and 17% said they had done so within the last three days. It is the first time the biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey has asked about binge eating, and the first data on disordered eating collected by the survey in a decade.
Binge eating was more common among female students than male students (19% versus 16%) and more prevalent among Black (19%), Hispanic (20%), and multiracial (20%) students than white (15%) or Middle Eastern or North African students (10%). Researchers said the pattern is important because it counters longstanding stereotypes that eating disorders mainly affect white girls and young women.
The survey also found links between binge eating and frequent social media use, poor mental health, and suicidality. Researchers note that the findings do not establish causation, and they point to both the engineered appeal of ultra-processed foods and the fact that disordered eating is fundamentally a mental health issue. Advocacy groups hope the data will push funders to treat eating disorders as a true public health priority.