The number of young people with eating disorders in England ending up in hospital has risen during the pandemic, a BBC investigation has found. Data o

Eating disorders: The terrible impact of the pandemic on the young

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2021-07-22 10:00:07

The number of young people with eating disorders in England ending up in hospital has risen during the pandemic, a BBC investigation has found.

Data obtained from NHS Digital showed the number of under-20s admitted over the past year topped 3,200 - nearly 50% higher than in 2019-20.

The waiting list for treatment has trebled since the pandemic started, while those that are being seen are having to wait longer for care.

Mental health charities said the pandemic, and lockdowns in particular, had had a devastating impact on vulnerable young people, increasing their anxiety and isolation.

This has lead to more people developing eating disorders, such as bulimia and anorexia - as well as seeing a deterioration in many youngsters who had already been diagnosed with those conditions, they said..

"There were huge readjustments and my eating disorder thrived off that and not seeing friends - at that time my anxiety took over."