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What Are the Facts About Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorders (OSFED)?

Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder is the new and updated description that replaces the eating disorder category formerly called Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS). The OSFED diagnosis includes people who have serious, yet treatable, eating disorders that do not fall under the diagnostic criteria for recognized eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. 

Additional facts and statistics about OSFED

  • OSFED affects up to six percent of the population.
  • The mortality rate is estimated to be 5.2 percent for unspecified eating disorders.
  • Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) for OSFED is 1.92 (SMR is a ratio between the observed number of deaths in an study population and the number of deaths would be expected)1
  • Nearly half of OSFED patients have a comorbid mood disorder. 2
  • 1 in 10 OSFED patients have a comorbid substance abuse disorder, usually alcohol use. 2
  • Body dysmorphic disorder affects men and women almost equally, and approximately one percent of the U.S. population has BDD. (ADAA.org)
  1. Arcelus, J., Mitchell, A. J., Wales, J., & Nielsen, S. (2011). Mortality rates in patients with anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders: a meta-analysis of 36 studies. Archives of General Psychiatry, 68(7), 724-731.
  2. Ulfvebrand, S., Birgegard, A., Norring, C., Hogdahl, L., & von Hausswolff-Juhlin, Y. (2015). Psychiatric comorbidity in women and men with eating disorders results from a large clinical database. Psychiatry Research, 230(2), 294-299.

Eating disorders can be treated

The facts and statistics on OSFED listed above reinforce how important it is that those suffering from eating-disordered behaviors seek care from a specially-trained treatment team.

If you need help or are worried about a loved one, please call us at 877-711-1878 to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an ERC Masters-level clinician who can help you understand eating disorder treatment options.

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