Eating Disorders Among Female Adolescents Increased During the COVID-19 Pandemic, New Research Finds

The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on mental health has been profound, and a concerning trend has emerged: a significant increase in eating disorders, particularly among adolescents aged 10-17 years.

This surge has also affected young adults and older individuals, albeit to a lesser extent, according to a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

The Rise of Eating Disorders During COVID-19

MedicalXpress reported that data analyzed from ICES paints a sobering picture. By comparing rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations for eating disorders before (January 1, 2017, to February 29, 2020) and during the pandemic (March 1, 2020, to August 31, 2022), researchers uncovered a startling rise in cases across various age groups.

Among adolescents, the numbers were particularly alarming. The observed rate of ED visits for eating disorders skyrocketed to 7.38 per 100,000 over the 30 months following the onset of the pandemic. That represents a 121% increase over the anticipated rate, signaling a distressing impact on this vulnerable age group.

Young adults aged 18 to 26 experienced a 13% surge in ED visits, resulting in a rate of 2.79 per 100,000. In contrast, adults aged 27 to 40 saw their rates remain closely aligned with expectations, revealing a distinctive age-related pattern.

Adolescents bore the brunt of the surge when it came to hospital admissions. Hospitalizations witnessed a substantial 54% increase, culminating in a rate of 8.82 per 100,000. In stark contrast, rates for all adult age groups either met or fell below anticipated levels, underscoring the distinct age-related impact.

Overall, the observed rate of ED visits for females was reportedly 63% above the expected rate, while males were around "expected levels."

What Caused the Increase of Eating Disorders?

"A combination of risk factors-including isolation, increased time on social media, extended time spent with family, decreased access to care and fear of infection-may contribute to an increased risk of development or exacerbation of an eating disorder," wrote Dr. Alene Toulany, an adolescent medicine specialist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and adjunct scientist at ICES, Toronto, Ontario, with co-authors.

The authors further noted that the closure of gyms and limited opportunities for physical activity, coupled with elevated household stress, have fostered an environment conducive to developing or exacerbating eating disorders.

Hence, the study's authors emphasized the critical need for augmented investment in eating disorder programs targeting both adolescents and adults to effectively address this health problem.

Additionally, they call for sustained research efforts to discern the extent to which the surge in acute presentations can be attributed to new cases as opposed to the worsening of pre-existing conditions.

"Our findings reveal significant variations in the utilization of acute care services for eating disorders across different age groups. This highlights the need for a nuanced approach to allocating mental health resources and expanding system capacity and resources dedicated to both adolescent and adult eating disorder programs," Toulany said in a press statement.

The findings of the study were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.