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Fact References

To learn the source of a specific fact, please reach out at hello@silverliningsfoundation.ca so we can direct you. 

Population Estimates

Our estimation of eating disorder prevalence in the Alberta population is based on a systematic literature review conducted between 2000-2018 (Galmiche et al., 2019). The review, which analyzed data from over 120 studies, identified eating disorders as highly prevalent worldwide and a significant public health concern. Unfortunately, this data does not account for the recent mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Observations indicate that the number of individuals struggling with eating disorders has likely increased, as evidenced by the heightened demand for our services since 2020.


Galamiche, M., Déchelotte, P., Lambert, G., Tavolacci, M. P., & Ladner, J. (2019). Prevalence of eating disorders over the 2000-2018 period: A systematic literature review. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 109(5), 1402-1413. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqy342

General References

  • Alberta Addiction Service Providers (2014) http://www.albertaaddictionserviceproviders.org/pdf/eatingdisorders.pdf

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.

  • Bulimia.com. (2017). Finding the Best Anorexia, Bulimia and Eating Disorder Treatment for Men. Retrieved from https://www.bulimia.com/topics/men/

  • Cash, T. F., & Deagle, E. A. (1997). The nature and extent of body‐image disturbances in anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa: A meta‐analysis. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 22(2), 107-126.

  • Federici, A. & Kaplan, A.S. (2008). The Patient’s Account of Relapse and Recovery in Anorexia Nervosa: A Qualitative Study. European Eating Disorders Review, 16, 1-10. DOI: 10.1002/erv.813

  • Government of Alberta. (2017). Population. Retrieved from: http://economicdashboard.alberta.ca/Population

  • Government of Canada. (2017). About mental illness. Retrieved from Government of Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/about-mental-illness.htm

  • Holland, G., & Tiggemann, M. (2016). A systematic review of the impact of the use of social networking sites on body image and disordered eating outcomes. Body Image, 17, 100-110.

  • Holtom-Viesel, A., & Allan, S. (2014). A systematic review of the literature on family functioning across all eating disorder diagnoses in comparison to control families. Clinical Psychology Review, 34(1), 29-43.

  • Hotta, M., Shibasaki, T., Masuda, A., Imaki, T., Demura, H., Ling, N., & Shizume, K. A. Z. U. O. (1986). The responses of plasma adrenocorticotropin and cortisol to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and cerebrospinal fluid immunoreactive CRH in anorexia nervosa patients. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 62(2), 319-324.

  • Katzman, D. K. (2005). Medical complications in adolescents with anorexia nervosa: a review of the literature. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 37(S1), S52-S59

  • Kelly, A. C., Vimalakanthan, K., & Carter, J. C. (2014). Understanding the roles of self-esteem, self-compassion, and fear of self-compassion in eating disorder pathology: An examination of female students and eating disorder patients. Eating Behaviors, 15(3), 388-391.

  • Krentz, E. M., & Warschburger, P. (2011). Sports-related correlates of disordered eating in aesthetic sports. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 12, 375–382.

  • Levine, M. P., & Murnen, S. K. (2015). Media and Eating Disorders. In The Wiley Handbook of Eating Disorders (pp. 379-393). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  • Mehler, P. S., & Brown, C. (2015). Anorexia nervosa–medical complications. Journal of Eating Disorders, 3(1), 11

  • Mehler, P. S. (2011). Medical complications of bulimia nervosa and their treatments. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 44(2), 95-104

  • Misra, M., Miller, K. K., Bjornson, J., Hackman, A., Aggarwal, A., Chung, J., ... & Klibanski, A. (2003). Alterations in growth hormone secretory dynamics in adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa and effects on bone metabolism. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 88(12), 5615-5623.

  • Mitchell, J. E., & Crow, S. (2006). Medical complications of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 19(4), 438-443

  • Muhlheim, L & Gans, S. (2017, October 6). Body Image and Eating Disorders. What's the Connection? Retrieved March 7, 2018, from https://www.verywellmind.com/body-image-and-eating-disorders-4149424?utm_source=emailshare&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shareurlbuttons

  • Peebles, R., Hardy, K. K., Wilson, J. L., & Lock, J. D. (2010). Are diagnostic criteria for eating disorders markers of medical severity? Pediatrics, 125(5), e1193-e1201

  • Picard, A. (2014, December 2). Eating disorders are a scourge in need of a strategy The Globe and Mail. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com.

  • Psychology Today. (2011, March 11). The Deadliest Disorder. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-new-brain/201103/the-deadliest-disorder-0

  • Psychology Today. (n.d.). Emotionally Focused Therapy. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/emotionally-focused-therapy

  • Public Health Agency of Canada. (2002). ARCHIVED: Chapter 6: A Report on Mental Illnesses in Canada – Eating disorders. Retrieved from Government of Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/report-on-mental-illnesses-canada/eating-disorders.htm

  • Public Health Agency of Canada. (2015). Eating disorders in teens: information for parents and caregivers. Retrieved from Government of Canada website: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/eating-disorders-teens-information-parents-caregivers.html

  • Statistics Canada. (2015). Section D - Eating disorders. Retrieved from: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-619-m/2012004/sections/sectiond-eng.htm

  • Sullivan, P. F. (2002). Course and outcome of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In Eating Disorders and Obesity: A Comprehensive Handbook (pp. 226–232)

  • Sullivan, P. (1995). Mortality in anorexia nervosa. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 152(7), 1073–1074

  • Torstveit, M. K., Rosenvinge, J. H., & Sundgot-Borgen, J. (2008). Prevalence of eating disorders and the predictive power of risk models in female elite athletes: A controlled study. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 18(1), 108–118.