Objective This study aims to determine whether the prevalence of lifetime and past 12‐month DSM‐IV eating disorders (ED) diagnoses differed by body mass index category among men and women in a general population sample. Methods Data from the Collaborative Psychiatric Epidemiology Surveys (n = 12 337 adults) were analysed using logistic regression. Analyses were conducted separately by gender. Results Lifetime ED prevalence was 2.22% in men and 4.93% in women. In both genders, the prevalence of any lifetime and past 12‐month ED, binge eating disorder and recurrent binge eating was highest among obese individuals. Among obese men and women, lifetime and past 12‐month ED prevalence was highest among those with class III obesity. Conclusion Eating disorders were most prevalent among high‐weight individuals. This information is important for planning targeted public health ED and obesity prevention and intervention activities, as well as for informing the clinical care of obese individuals. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.