Sharp rise in teenage girls with eating disorders during COVID
A recently published study in the Lancet has found there has been a sharp rise in teenage girls in the UK with eating disorders, during the COVID pandemic.
The analysis (done in general practice) by the Universities of Manchester, Keele and Exeter, looked at nine million records belonging to patients aged 10-24 years. 2,000 GP practices across the UK contributed data.
A 19 year old girl said people do not realise how common eating disorders are:
I don’t know a single girl or female friend who hasn’t had some sort of struggle with eating.”
The government says it is investing in eating disorders services, to help more children and young people. More cases are being identified in girls living in the wealthier areas, which could be due to better GP access.
This is article is based on a BBC health article
