Long-Term Consequences of Eating Disorders: A Review of Medical, Psychological, and Social Outcomes

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.