new research published this week in BMJ Medicine underscores the enduring and often underestimated health risks associated with eating disorders, even years after initial recovery. A complete analysis of nearly 25,000 individuals diagnosed with conditions like anorexia and bulimia revealed considerably elevated rates of long-term health complications-including organ failure and increased risk of suicide-compared to those without such diagnoses. The study highlights a critical need for expanded, proactive healthcare support for individuals with a history of eating disorders and emphasizes the potential for primary care physicians to play a central role in long-term monitoring and intervention.
Eating disorders carry significant and lasting risks to both physical and mental health, extending years beyond initial diagnosis, a new study reveals. The research highlights the critical need for long-term monitoring and support for individuals recovering from these conditions, as eating disorders are often associated with serious, potentially life-threatening health complications.
Anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and other similar conditions are linked to a substantially increased risk of developing health problems such as diabetes, kidney or liver failure, osteoporosis, and premature death, according to the findings. These risks are particularly acute in the year following a diagnosis, but persist for years afterward.
Researchers, led by epidemiologist Catharine Morgan of the University of Manchester, analyzed the medical records of over 24,700 individuals aged 10 to 44 who had been diagnosed with an eating disorder, comparing them to a control group of over 493,000 people without such diagnoses. The results, published November 18, 2025, in the journal BMJ Medicine, paint a concerning picture of the long-term health consequences.
“This study highlights the importance of continuously monitoring physical health outcomes in individuals with a history of eating disorders,” the research team concluded.
Within the first year after diagnosis, individuals with eating disorders were found to be:
• Six times more likely to experience kidney failure.
• Nearly seven times more likely to develop liver disease.
• Six times more likely to be diagnosed with osteoporosis.
• Twice as likely to suffer from heart failure.
• Three times more likely to develop diabetes.
• Seven times more likely to experience depression.
• More than nine times more likely to self-harm.
• Fourteen times more likely to attempt suicide.
The study also revealed a more than fourfold increased risk of premature death from any cause among those with eating disorders, and a fivefold higher risk of death from external causes, such as suicide. These elevated risks didn’t simply disappear with time.
After five years, the risk of kidney and liver disease remained 2.5 to 4 times higher, while the overall risk of premature death was still two to three times greater. Even a decade after diagnosis, individuals with a history of eating disorders continued to die at higher rates, with the risk of suicide remaining nearly three times elevated.
“Our data describe the substantial long-term effects of eating disorders and underscore the potential opportunity for primary care to play a more significant role in offering long-term support and monitoring to individuals recovering from an eating disorder,” the researchers wrote. The findings suggest that proactive care in primary care settings could improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.
“It is essential to raise awareness among healthcare professionals about the lasting effects of eating disorders and the need for ongoing support to manage current symptoms and recovery,” the team added.
In an accompanying editorial, researchers from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, echoed these conclusions. “Eating disorders affect millions of people worldwide, but their consequences are often underrecognized,” wrote Jennifer Couturier, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral neurosciences at McMaster University, and her colleagues.
“Eating disorders affect multiple organ systems, requiring an integrated approach to care to adequately treat patients,” the editorial team explained. “This situation positions primary care providers in an ideal position to lead and coordinate their care, and suggests that primary care settings would be appropriate for early and ongoing intervention.”
For more information about eating disorders, visit the American Psychiatric Association.
©The New York Times 2025
