Rachel V Thomas

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4 in 10 US High School Students Report Binge Eating: What Are the Risks?

Nearly 4 in 10 US high school students reported <span>binge eating</span> at least once in the previous 30 days in 2025, according to a new survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (<span>CDC</span>).

The biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 40.5% of students reported binge eating on at least one day, while 17.2% reported it on three or more days. Frequent binge eating was more common among female students (18.6%) than male students (15.9%).

<h2>Binge Eating Linked to Poor <span rel="noindex">Mental Health</span></h2>

The survey was conducted among 10,710 students in grades 9–12. However, valid responses to the binge-eating question were available for 6,898 students.

Students reporting poor mental health were more likely to report binge eating on three or more days in the previous 30 days than those who did not report poor mental health (27.2% versus 14%).

The prevalence was also higher among students reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness (25.4% versus 12.8%) and those who had seriously considered attempting suicide (27.1% versus 15.3%).

Previous research has linked binge eating with <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/depression">depression</a></span>, anxiety, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. However, the CDC noted that its cross-sectional findings cannot establish cause and effect or determine which condition came first.

“It was extremely alarming seeing how high those numbers were,” Ariel Beccia, a researcher in the adolescent and children’s medicine division at Boston Children’s Hospital, told STAT News.

“Eating disorders not only affect everyone, they also affect marginalized youth more, actually,” Beccia said.

<h2>Frequent Social Media Use Also Linked to Binge Eating</h2>

Students who used social media at least hourly were more likely to report binge eating on three or more days than those who used it once a day or less (22.8% versus 12.9%).

Exposure to appearance- and diet-related content, comparisons with others and idealized body standards have been proposed as possible pathways linking social media use to body dissatisfaction and binge eating. However, the survey measured how frequently students used social media, not the content they viewed, and cannot establish that social media use causes binge eating.

<h2>Differences Across Student Groups</h2>

Frequent binge eating was reported by 20.5% of Hispanic students and 18.7% of Black students, compared with 14.6% of White students. The prevalence was 19.6% among multiracial students and 9.9% among Middle Eastern or North African students.

The CDC cautioned that the estimate for Middle Eastern or North African students was imprecise because of the small sample size. These figures refer to binge eating on three or more days in the previous 30 days.

The findings highlight the need for continued monitoring of disordered eating among adolescents, along with prevention, early identification and access to appropriate support. The CDC said schools, families, health care providers and mental health professionals could play a role in these efforts.

Binge eating involves consuming an unusually large amount of food in a short period while feeling a loss of control over eating. It is a form of disordered eating, but it does not necessarily meet the criteria for a diagnosis of binge-eating disorder.

<strong>Signs and symptoms of binge-eating disorder may include:</strong>

<ul><li>Eating until uncomfortably full</li><li>Eating more quickly than usual</li><li>Eating despite not feeling hungry</li><li>Turning to food during stress or emotional distress</li><li>Eating alone out of embarrassment</li><li>Experiencing guilt, shame or a sense of losing control over eating</li></ul><h2></h2>

Treatment may include psychotherapy (talk therapy), such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). Depending on individual needs, treatment may also involve medication and nutritional counseling.

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Nearly 4 in 10 US high school students reported binge eating at least once in the previous 30 days in 2025, according to a new survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 40.5% of students reported binge eating on at least one day, while 17.2% reported it on three or more days. Frequent binge eating was more common among female students (18.6%) than male students (15.9%).Binge Eating Linked to Poor Mental HealthThe survey was conducted among 10,710 students in grades 9–12. However, valid responses to the binge-eating question were available for 6,898 students.Students reporting poor mental health were more likely to report binge eating on three or more days in the previous 30 days than those who did not report poor mental health (27.2% versus 14%).The prevalence was also higher among students reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness (25.4% versus 12.8%) and those who had seriously considered attempting suicide (27.1% versus 15.3%).Previous research has linked binge eating with depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. However, the CDC noted that its cross-sectional findings cannot establish cause and effect or determine which condition came first.“It was extremely alarming seeing how high those numbers were,” Ariel Beccia, a researcher in the adolescent and children’s medicine division at Boston Children’s Hospital, told STAT News.“Eating disorders not only affect everyone, they also affect marginalized youth more, actually,” Beccia said.Frequent Social Media Use Also Linked to Binge EatingStudents who used social media at least hourly were more likely to report binge eating on three or more days than those who used it once a day or less (22.8% versus 12.9%).Exposure to appearance- and diet-related content, comparisons with others and idealized body standards have been proposed as possible pathways linking social media use to body dissatisfaction and binge eating. However, the survey measured how frequently students used social media, not the content they viewed, and cannot establish that social media use causes binge eating.Differences Across Student GroupsFrequent binge eating was reported by 20.5% of Hispanic students and 18.7% of Black students, compared with 14.6% of White students. The prevalence was 19.6% among multiracial students and 9.9% among Middle Eastern or North African students.The CDC cautioned that the estimate for Middle Eastern or North African students was imprecise because of the small sample size. These figures refer to binge eating on three or more days in the previous 30 days.The findings highlight the need for continued monitoring of disordered eating among adolescents, along with prevention, early identification and access to appropriate support. The CDC said schools, families, health care providers and mental health professionals could play a role in these efforts.What Is Binge Eating?Binge eating involves consuming an unusually large amount of food in a short period while feeling a loss of control over eating. It is a form of disordered eating, but it does not necessarily meet the criteria for a diagnosis of binge-eating disorder.Signs and symptoms of binge-eating disorder may include:Eating until uncomfortably fullEating more quickly than usualEating despite not feeling hungryTurning to food during stress or emotional distressEating alone out of embarrassmentExperiencing guilt, shame or a sense of losing control over eatingHow Is Binge Eating Treated?Treatment may include psychotherapy (talk therapy), such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT). Depending on individual needs, treatment may also involve medication and nutritional counseling.

4 in 10 us high school students report binge eating: what are the risks?

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4 in 10 US High School Students Report Binge Eating: What Are the Risks?

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