LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF EATING DISORDERS: A REVIEW OF MEDICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND SOCIAL OUTCOMES

Kamila Zmysłowska; Aleksandra Grabowska; Kornelia Tyczka; Anna Szatkowska; Malwina Kwaśniewska; Adam  Hajdaniak; Jan Mateusz Kiersztyn; Natalia Seńcio; Klaudia Aleksandra Stadnik

doi:10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.6554

Authors

Kamila Zmysłowska Nicolaus Copernicus Voivodeship Hospital in Koszalin, Tytusa Chałubińskiego 7, 75-581 Koszalin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2413-0806
Aleksandra Grabowska Regional Hospital in Kołobrzeg, Edmunda Łopuskiego 31-33, 78-100 Kołobrzeg, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6112-1260
Kornelia Tyczka Independent Public Regional Hospital in Szczecin, 4 Arkońska Street, 71-455 Szczecin, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8700-2372
Anna Szatkowska Jan Mikulicz-Radecki University Hospital in Wrocław, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9970-3354
Malwina Kwaśniewska Nicolaus Copernicus Voivodeship Hospital in Koszalin, Tytusa Chałubińskiego 7, 75-581 Koszalin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0775-8174
Adam Hajdaniak Jan Mikulicz-Radecki University Hospital in Wrocław, Borowska 213, 50-556 Wrocław, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1401-3122
Jan Mateusz Kiersztyn Dr Jurasz University Hospital No.1 in Bydgoszcz, Marii Skłodowskiej Curie 9, 85-094, Bydgoszcz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4714-0868
Natalia Seńcio Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Collegium Maius, Fredry 10, 61-701 Poznań, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4358-7511
Klaudia Aleksandra Stadnik Regional Hospital in Szczecinek, Tadeusza Kościuszki 38, 78-400 Szczecinek, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2601-3813

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.3(51).2026.6554

Keywords:

Eating Disorders; Anorexia Nervosa; Bulimia Nervosa; Binge-Eating Disorder; Long-Term Outcomes

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.

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