Alarming study reveals at least 60 people received assisted death for an eating disorder

A new study published in “Frontiers in Psychiatry” has revealed that at least 60 people received assisted suicide or euthanasia for eating disorders between 2012 and 2024 — though experts warn that the actual number is likely much higher.

The study’s findings include cases from the United States, Belgium, and the Netherlands, with a press release from the study pointing out that some of the deaths have reportedly come from areas where assisted death is only allowed in cases of terminal illness — which an eating disorder is not.

One third of the patients were young people in their teens or twenties who had not first received comprehensive treatment for their condition.

“Notably, some of the cases occurred in countries where assisted death is legally restricted to terminal conditions, exposing significant oversight gaps and raising urgent ethical questions about current policies,” the release explained. Study authors went on to explain that in the United States, patients were approved for assisted death based on the “controversial pseudo diagnosis” of “terminal anorexia,” with the rationale being that actual treatment for anorexia is just too expensive.

“These rationales lack an empirical basis and perpetuate stigma,” said Catherine Cook-Cottone, study author and researcher at University at Buffalo. “The idea that patients with eating disorders are untreatable, treatment-resistant, or unable to recover has no place in medicine.”

Live Action News has previously reported on the flawed ‘terminal anorexia’ diagnosis; one anorexia survivor has spoken out against the dangers of this diagnosis, which she believes encourages people like her to choose assisted suicide.

Study authors note that through their research, they have reason to believe that the actual numbers of anorexia-related assisted deaths is actually much higher.

READ: Doctors allow UK teen with eating disorder to die at her own request

“This finding is deeply concerning and will send shockwaves through our community,” said Chelsea Roff, Executive Director of the nonprofit, Eat Breathe Thrive, and lead author of the study. “We have concerns they may only be the tip of the iceberg. We found significant gaps in reporting, suggesting the actual number of cases may be much higher.”

In response to the study, a coalition of over 40 experts and organizations issued a joint statement denouncing the practice of prescribing lethal drugs to those with an eating disorder.

“Eating disorders are treatable conditions that require timely and comprehensive treatment. Yet many cannot access care due to cost, inadequate insurance coverage, extensive wait times, and a shortage of specialist services. The notion that they are incurable or terminal is scientifically unsupported and dangerously misleading,” they wrote.

“People with eating disorders need access to evidence-based and inclusive treatment, not lethal medications,” the statement concluded. “Poor outcomes, including deaths, are nearly always preventable.”

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