Answer: The most cited ranges indicate that roughly 10% to 20% of college-aged women struggle with an eating disorder, with some sources noting higher prevalence in specific subgroups (e.g., athletes, gender minority students) and broader estimates suggesting elevated symptoms on campuses. The exact figure can vary depending on how “eating disorder” is defined and which screening methods are used. Details and context
- National estimates: Multiple surveys and reviews summarize that about 10% to 20% of female college students meet criteria for an eating disorder, with lower estimates for men (roughly 4% to 10%) [web results reflect National Eating Disorders Association benchmarks and related studies].
- Symptom screening vs. clinical diagnosis: Some studies report subclinical or symptomatic risk levels in the mid-teens to upper-20s among female students, which may not always translate to a full clinical disorder but indicate elevated risk and prevalence of problematic eating behaviors [web results].
- Variability by subgroup: Higher prevalence has been observed among college athletes, and among gender-diverse or transgender students, suggesting that certain campus populations experience disproportionately higher rates of eating disorder symptoms [web results].
- Time trends: Research has indicated rising rates of eating disorder risk on college campuses over the past decade, though exact numbers depend on sample and method [web results].
If you’d like, I can narrow this down to a specific population (e.g., non- athlete women, athletes, transgender students) or provide a concise table of representative studies and their prevalence figures.
