LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF EATING DISORDERS: A REVIEW OF MEDICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND SOCIAL OUTCOMES
TL;DR
The findings support a multidimensional concept of recovery that extends beyond weight restoration or behavioural remission, and should combine medical surveillance, psychiatric treatment, relapse prevention, and support for social, educational, and occupational functioning.
Abstract
Eating disorders are complex psychiatric conditions associated with substantial medical morbidity, psychological impairment, and disruption of social functioning. This review examines the long-term consequences of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder across medical, psychological, and social domains. A structured narrative review of peer-reviewed literature published predominantly between 2000 and August 2026 was conducted, prioritising systematic reviews, meta-analyses, longitudinal cohorts, and long-term follow-up studies. The evidence shows that eating disorders may be followed by persistent skeletal, renal, gastrointestinal, reproductive, cardiovascular, and metabolic complications, while mortality remains elevated, particularly in anorexia nervosa. Depression, anxiety, self-harm, suicidality, relapse, and impaired quality of life may continue after improvement in core eating-disorder symptoms. Social consequences include difficulti aes in relationships, social isolation, disrupted education and employment, stigma, family burden, and substantial economic costs. The findings support a multidimensional concept of recovery that extends beyond weight restoration or behavioural remission. Long-term care should combine medical surveillance, psychiatric treatment, relapse prevention, and support for social, educational, and occupational functioning.