College is often described as one of the most exciting periods of life. It can also be one of the most challenging. Students are navigating new responsibilities, changing routines, academic expectations, relationships and increased independence, often at the same time.
For students experiencing an eating disorder or mental health concern, these changes can feel especially overwhelming. While statistics do not tell an individual student’s full story, they can help us better understand what many students are experiencing and why support matters.
At Eating Recovery Center (ERC), many students and families seek support during major transitions such as starting college, moving into a dorm, transferring schools or returning to campus after a break. Because eating disorders can become more noticeable during times of stress and change, ERC offers specialized eating disorder care across multiple levels of treatment, including virtual programs, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), residential treatment and inpatient care.
Key Takeaways
37% of college students reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression during the 2024-25 academic year. [1]
32% of college students reported moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety. [1]
76.4% of college students reported moderate or high stress within the previous 30 days. [2]
30% of college students reported that anxiety negatively affected their academics. [3]
More than 75% of college students reported getting fewer than eight hours of sleep, on average, on weeknights. [3]
13% of nearly 30,000 surveyed college students showed signs of an eating disorder. [4]
The median age of onset is 18 for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, and 21 for binge eating disorder — ages that overlap with the traditional college years. [5]
Among college students who screened positive for an eating disorder, approximately 20% or fewer reported having received treatment. [6]
College student mental health, by the numbers
Mental health challenges are a common part of the college experience. According to the 2024-25 Healthy Minds Study, 37% of students reported moderate to severe symptoms of depression, while 32% reported moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety. [1]
There is also encouraging news. The study found that moderate to severe symptoms of depression declined from 44% in 2022 to 37% in 2025, while moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety declined from 37% to 32% during the same period. [2]
These improvements suggest progress, but they also reinforce that many students continue to experience significant emotional challenges while balancing academics, work, relationships and extracurricular activities.
Does stress lead to disordered eating?
Stress does not automatically lead to a mental health condition or eating disorder. However, it can affect how students manage everyday challenges.
The American College Health Association reports that 76.4% of students experienced moderate or high levels of stress during the previous 30 days. [2] In fall 2024, 30% of students reported that anxiety negatively affected their academics. [3]
Many students are balancing coursework, social commitments, jobs, athletics and personal responsibilities. When stress becomes chronic, it can affect concentration, mood, sleep and eating patterns. For students in eating disorder recovery, these disruptions may make it harder to maintain regular meals, attend appointments and consistently use recovery skills.
Are sleep challenges common among college students?
Yes, sleep is often one of the first things students sacrifice when schedules become busy. More than 75% of students reported getting fewer than eight hours of sleep on weeknights, based on a two-week period measured in fall 2024. [3]
Sleep is closely connected to mental health, emotion regulation and recovery routines. For students managing symptoms of anxiety, depression or an eating disorder, inconsistent sleep may make it harder to respond to stress, stay nourished and maintain daily structure.
Are eating disorders rare among college students?
A study of 29,951 students from 26 colleges and universities found that approximately 13% showed signs of an eating disorder, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Researchers also found that eating disorder risk was relatively similar across racial and ethnic groups. [4]
These findings challenge long-standing misconceptions about who develops eating disorders. Eating disorders can affect students across genders, backgrounds, body sizes and identities. A student does not need to “look sick” to be struggling.
Eating disorder prevalence has increased over time
Researchers compared random samples of undergraduate students at one university in 1995, 2002 and 2008. Over that 13-year period, the percentage of students meeting criteria for an eating disorder not otherwise specified increased from 7.9% to 25% among male students and from 23.4% to 32.6% among female students. [7]
Although the findings cannot be generalized to all college students, they underscore the importance of education, screening and access to treatment on college campuses.
Binge eating and bulimia nervosa are often overlooked
In a study of nearly 30,000 college students, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder were among the most commonly identified eating disorders. Combined, clinical or subclinical bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder affected 13% to 18% of women and 10% to 12% of men, depending on race and ethnicity. [4]
These findings reinforce that eating disorders do not always match common stereotypes. Symptoms may include binge eating, purging, compulsive exercise, secrecy around food, intense body image distress or rigid food rules. Many disorders are not visible based on appearance alone.
Many students who need treatment never address it
A review of eating disorder screening research on college campuses found that approximately 20% or fewer of students who screened positive reported receiving treatment for their eating disorder. [6]
Several factors may contribute to this gap. Some students may not recognize their symptoms, may worry that their condition is not serious enough or may have difficulty accessing specialized care. Regardless of the reason, the findings suggest that many students continue to struggle without the support they need.
Screening does not always happen automatically
In a national survey of health care providers at 384 U.S. college health centers, providers estimated that they screened a median of 70% of female students for obesity, compared with 30% for eating disorders. [8]
Providers were also more likely to report a center-wide screening policy for obesity than for eating disorders: 59.1% reported an obesity screening policy, compared with 33.9% who reported an eating disorder screening policy. [8]
Simply put, screening for eating disorders doesn’t always happen. And many eating disorders are not visible to the eye. That’s why it’s important to speak openly with health providers about any concerns involving food, body image, binge eating, purging, exercise behaviors and mental health.
What do these statistics mean for students and families?
Statistics help us understand trends, but they should not be used to predict any one person’s experience.
Some students adjust to college while managing occasional stress. Others may notice symptoms affecting relationships, academics, eating patterns, mood, sleep or overall well-being. For students showing signs of an eating disorder, additional structure and specialized support may be helpful, especially when symptoms begin interfering with daily life.
Support may include:
Campus counseling services
Outpatient therapy
Nutrition counseling
Intensive outpatient program ( IOP)
Virtual IOP
Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
Residential treatment
Inpatient care
The right level of care depends on each student’s symptoms, medical needs, emotional well-being, support system and recovery goals.
How Eating Recovery Center supports college students
At ERC, treatment begins with understanding the student’s unique needs. Our care model is designed to help you access the right level of care, whether it’s part-time virtual treatment, two-week focused treatment, or even more support through our in-person programs.
Depending on your needs, treatment options include:
Virtual IOP for eligible students who need structured support while remaining engaged in school
IOP for students who need more support than traditional outpatient care
PHP for students who need a highly structured daytime treatment setting
Residential treatment for students who need 24-hour support in a recovery-focused environment
You don’t have to figure it out alone
If you are concerned about yourself, your child or a student in your care, you do not have to figure out next steps alone. Call us to learn more about your options, including those that ensure school stays on track.
When you call ERC, you can ask about:
Eating disorder symptoms and concerns
Treatment options for college students
Virtual and in-person care
PHP and residential treatment
Family involvement and support
Insurance and coverage questions
How to determine the appropriate level of care
No obligation. Fully complimentary.
Frequently asked questions
Why are college students at greater risk for eating disorders?
The college years overlap with a common age of onset for eating disorders and often involve significant life transitions, increased independence and new sources of stress. According to the Collegiate Survey Project, full-syndrome eating disorders commonly begin between ages 18 and 21.
Can college students stay in school while receiving eating disorder treatment?
Yes, Many students continue attending school while participating in outpatient therapy, IOP or virtual IOP. Other students may benefit from PHP, residential treatment or inpatient care depending on their clinical needs.
Can students receive treatment while staying in school?
Sometimes. Many students continue classes while participating in outpatient or virtual treatment. Others may need to pause or reduce their coursework to receive a higher level of care. The right option depends on their symptoms, medical needs and ability to manage daily responsibilities.
What should families watch for during college?
Pay attention to meaningful changes in eating habits, mood, social activity, academic performance or exercise. Skipping meals, becoming increasingly rigid around food, withdrawing from others or expressing intense concerns about weight and body image may indicate that additional support is needed.
When is it time to seek help?
Consider reaching out when changes around food, mood or daily routines begin affecting a student’s health, relationships, academics or quality of life. You do not need to determine the appropriate level of care before calling — an assessment can help clarify the next step.
Concerned about a college student?
You don’t need to wait for symptoms to become severe before asking for help. If changes around food, mood, sleep or daily routines are raising concerns, starting a conversation can be an important first step.