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Our Services
To Our Wave Warriors:
If you’re struggling with food or body image, you’re not alone. Explore our Resources Page or reach out directly for the support you need and deserve.
To Military Leadership, Medical Providers, & Supporters:
Your involvement is crucial in recognizing and effectively addressing disordered eating. Untreated disordered eating can lead to severe consequences, including death, with suicide being a leading cause of mortality in individuals with eating disorders. Addressing disordered eating is vital in our shared mission to reduce suicide rates within the military.
To Civilian Eating Disorder Organizations, VSOs and Other Nonprofits:
Collaboration is key. Together, we can offer specialized and comprehensive care to the military community, addressing their unique challenges.
Know the Facts
Data & Research on Eating Disorders in the Military
1
According to the Military Health System, 5-8% of active-duty women, 0.1% of active-duty men, 4.6% of veteran women, and 1-4% of veteran men have a diagnosed eating disorder. It is expected that these rates are higher but go unreported/undetected. A 2021 study reported that up to one-third of veteran women and one-fifth of veteran men report symptoms consistent with an eating disorder.
2
The Department of Defense (DOD) reports that 19,468 dependents of service members received an eating disorder diagnosis from FY 2014 through FY 2018. Eating disorders cause one death every 52 minutes, the second highest mortality rate among psychiatric conditions...
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3
Military spouses and children are diagnosed with eating disorders at rates three times higher than their peers. 21% of female adolescent dependents of military personnel met the criteria for disordered eating behaviors such as binging, purging, and/or restrictive eating. Overall, the rate of disordered eating in multi-service military sample was significantly higher than the comparable civilian population. Military-dependents have higher rates of binge eating and weight concerns than civilians. A 2019 study found a connection between the stress of parental deployment and disordered eating. Military families should be considered at high risk for disordered eating and eating disorders...
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4
Studies on veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan found that eating disorders in this population are likely to be associated with military sexual trauma (MST) rather than combat trauma. Veterans with a positive screen for MST, especially male veterans, had a nearly two-fold increased likelihood of having an eating disorder diagnosis.
5
In a 2017 study of active duty service members, nearly half reported at least one experience of stigma within the military based on shape and/or weight. Stigma was associated with harmful thoughts and behaviors, including diet pill and laxative use, purging, and overeating. A 2019 study also found that those experiencing stigma were three times more likely to report a medical condition.
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"The military's emphasis on a specific body type leads to weight stigma, unhealthy behaviors, and even eating disorders, which have the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness second only to opioid abuse. We owe it to our service members to address these critical issues. SEA WAVES plays a vital role in offering the support and resources needed to tackle these challenges. I fully support their mission to promote early intervention, prevention, and a more inclusive understanding of health and fitness within the military community."
Carolyn Karoll, LCSW-C,CEDS-C
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Psychology Today "Expert" Blog: Eating Disorder Recovery
Co-author of Eating Disorder Group Therapy: A Collaborative Approach
“In recent years, we have seen a sharp increase in eating disorders among those serving in the military. The unique demands and challenges of military life, including physical and psychological stresses, can contribute to the prevalence of these disorders among service members. SEA WAVES is an exceptional resource dedicated to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders among military personnel,”
Anita Federici, Ph.D C.Psych
​
Fellow, Academy for Eating Disorders(FAED)
Owner, Clinical Director
The Centre for Psychology and Emotion Regulation
Adjunct Faculty, Graduate Studies, York University
“Eating disorders are a significant but often overlooked issue within the military community. Research shows that one in three military veteran women and one in five military veteran men meet the clinical criteria for an eating disorder, significantly higher than the general population . Organizations like SEA WAVES are essential in providing the necessary support and resources to address this pervasive problem, ensuring early intervention and prevention are prioritized. Given the central role of body dissatisfaction and overexercise among military personnel , the work of SEA WAVES is crucial in fostering a culture of health and well-being within our armed forces.”
Jordan Poole, LCMHC
​
Therapist and Clinical Supervisor
Take Root Counseling and Coaching PLLC
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