Bulimia nervosa, as defined by strict diagnostic criteria, occurs in approximately 1-3% of the female population. However, it has been reported that as many as 19% of female students may engage in bulimic symptoms (Hoek 2002). Sufferers are predominately female, though 5 to 10% of the clinical population is male. The disease is largely seen in Western countries, however research is ongoing to determine the prevalence rates amongst other ethnic populations.

*Cited from: Hoek, H.W. (2002). Distribution of eating disorders. In C.G. Fairburn & K.D. Brownell (Ed.), Eating Disorders and Obesity (pp. 233-237). New York: The Guilford Press.