Eating Disorders Surge Among German Girls, Hospitalizations Double in 20 Years

Eating disorders are increasingly affecting young girls in Germany, leading to a significant rise in hospitalizations. The number of girls aged 10 to 17 treated for conditions like anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating has doubled over the past two decades.

In 2024, these young patients constituted nearly half of all individuals hospitalized for eating disorders, a stark increase from just a quarter in 2004. The Federal Statistical Office reported that cases for this age group rose from approximately 2,800 in 2004 to nearly 6,000 in 2024.

Overall, hospital admissions for eating disorders saw a modest increase to 12,400 cases in 2024, a 2.2% rise from the previous year and an 8% increase since 2004. Anorexia nervosa remained the most frequent diagnosis, accounting for 9,000 treatment cases, followed by bulimia with 1,300 cases. Across all age groups, women are disproportionately affected, making up 92.9% of all patients treated for eating disorders in 2024.