What age does bulimia usually start?

Bulimia nervosa usually starts between the ages of 12 to 25 years old. At this age, young adults face a lot of peer pressure to appear thin and look their best. While this is an average, bulimia can start in younger children and older young adults.

Children and teens with bulimia run the risk of long-term health issues, such as diabetes and brittle bones, since malnutrition can damage their developing bodies.

Generally, bulimia affects primarily women, but it can be a disorder present in men. Feelings of helplessness and self-esteem issues can lead to bulimia, and some bulimics began the process of binging and purging in childhood.

With children and teenagers who suffer from bulimia, there is a greater chance of eating disorders overlapping. Someone with bulimia may develop anorexia nervosa or binge-eating as well. 


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