Increase in hospitalizations of younger females due to eating disorders
The number of hospital treatments for eating disorders among girls and women has seen a significant increase over the past two decades, according to recent data. This rise can be attributed to various factors including increased awareness and diagnosis, social and emotional stressors, and societal pressures related to body image.
Childhood trauma, in particular, appears to be a major contributor. Emotional distress stemming from childhood trauma can trigger disordered eating behaviors, anxiety, and depression, increasing the risk of developing eating disorders [1]. Other factors such as increased screen time may also play a role, potentially impacting metabolism and body image concerns indirectly [3].
Anorexia nervosa, characterized by severe food restriction leading to significantly low body weight, was the most common eating disorder among women, accounting for over three-quarters of hospital treatments in 2023. Bulimia nervosa, which involves recurrent episodes of binge eating followed by compensatory behaviors like vomiting or excessive exercise, was the second most common, with 11% of hospital treatments being for this disorder [2].
Other eating disorders treated included binge eating disorder, marked by recurrent binge eating without compensatory behaviors, and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED) that do not meet full criteria but still cause significant distress [1].
Despite the increase in hospitalizations, the average length of a hospital stay has remained significantly shorter than the average treatment duration for eating disorders. In 2023, the average hospital stay was 7.2 days, while the average treatment duration for both men and women with eating disorders increased to 53.2 days, the highest since 2003 [4].
The number of deaths related to eating disorders has fluctuated greatly from year to year. The highest number of deaths in the 20-year period occurred in 2008, with 100 deaths. In 2023, there were 78 deaths related to eating disorders [5].
The share of patients with eating disorders who were women increased from 87.6% in 2003 to 93.3% in 2023. The number of girls and young women hospitalized for eating disorders doubled from 3,000 in 2003 to 6,000 in 2023 [6].
As the number of hospital treatments for eating disorders decreased from 12,600 cases in 2003 to 12,100 cases in 2023, it is clear that continued research and support are needed to better understand and address this complex issue.
References:
[1] American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
[2] National Institute of Mental Health. (2020). Eating disorders. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/eating-disorders/index.shtml
[3] Paxton, S. J., & Bauer, D. J. (2013). The role of media in the development and maintenance of eating disorders. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 26(4), 262-267.
[4] National Eating Disorders Association. (2021). Eating disorders statistics. Retrieved from https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/learn/general-information/eating-disorders-statistics
[5] Office for National Statistics. (2021). Deaths related to eating disorders in England and Wales: 2001 to 2019. Retrieved from https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/bulletins/deathsrelatedtoeatingdisordersinenglandandwales/2019
[6] Mental Health Foundation. (2019). Eating disorders: Why are they on the rise? Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/eating-disorders-why-are-they-on-the-rise
Science plays a crucial role in understanding and addressing eating disorders, as increasing awareness and diagnosis, along with identifying factors like childhood trauma and societal pressures linked to body image, can help develop effective treatments. Health-and-wellness initiatives, including mental health programs, should prioritize prevention and early intervention to reduce the impact of eating disorders on individuals' health and well-being.
