The condition typically occurs in younger, well-educated women of the higher social classes. In addition, 10% of anorexics are men, but this high proportion may reflect the fact that more men seek treatment. The death rate of anorexics is six times higher than normal. About 5 to 10% of anorexics die, usually through heart failure from starvation, or from suicide. Relapse into anorexic behaviour commonly occurs.
According to the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, 27 percent of the child anorexics they see are boys.