The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has urged parents to look out for any signs of eating disorders in children and teenagers.
RCPCH is a professional body for pediatricians in the UK. It found that in some parts of Great Britain, doctors have seen a significant surge in new cases compared to last year, stating that the pandemic is one of the major reasons behind the rise.
NHS England said many children and young people are getting care for eating disorders, but they need more support.
The RCPCH heard from around 40 pediatricians across England, Scotland, and Wales, who said they had seen a surge in referrals.
The organization says that are many causative factors involved in eating disorders, including “isolation from friends during school closures, exam cancellations, loss of extra-curricular activities like sport, and an increased use of social media,”
Family finances, fear of the pandemic, and students getting forced to quarantine may also have contributed to eating disorders in children.
Dr. Simon Chapman of King’s College Hospital said referrals for eating disorders have increased since March and it was harder for them to assess because of virtual consultation.
“I’ve worked in eating disorders for 10 years and I have never known us to be so busy,” he said.
“I would say to any parent or teacher, if they notice anything different about their young person and are worried they may be developing an eating disorder, talk early on to the GP about their concerns or reach out to their local eating disorders service for advice,” Dr. Chapman added.
Dr. Karen Street of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital said that early detection of eating disorders could help them to advise successful treatment.
“Eating disorders begin with often quite small changes such as refusing to eat foods that were previously enjoyed,” she said. “If you’ve noticed a difference in the way your child or teenager approaches food and exercise and it concerns you, talk to them about what’s normal and what is not – often those with eating disorders will try to convince you all is OK but trust your instincts.”
“Seek advice from your GP and from helplines and if you’re still concerned, contact local eating disorder team,” Dr. Street added.
Tom Quinn, Director of External Affairs at Beat, said demand for its helpline had more than doubled since February. Beat is the UK’s leading charity supporting people affected by eating disorders and campaigning on their behalf.
“The increased focus on food over the Christmas period, coupled with the deluge of diet messaging in the New Year can be a toxic combination for young people at risk of an eating disorder, so it is more important than ever to be aware of the early signs and to take action quickly,” Quinn added.
Hospital admissions for children with eating disorders have risen in all age groups over two years, according to NHS England. There were nearly 21,800 hospitalizations for eating disorders among all age groups in 2019-20 compared to 16,547 in 2017-18.
Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s Mental Health Director, said the health care service was expanding every year and continued to offer face-to-face appointments and inpatient care when needed. The article originally appeared on the BBC.
