Pediatric eating disorder hospitalizations on the rise
According to a newly released study, researchers have found that hospitalizations for pediatric eating disorders are alarmingly on the rise, including some children who don’t fit the typical profile.
The research, published this month by JAMA Network Open, shows hospitalizations in Ontario, Canada, up by 139% from 2002 to 2019. More surprising, hospitalizations of young males ages 12 to 14 increased by 196% and those identified with an eating disorder outside of anorexia or bulimia rose by 255%.
“It’s imperative parents pay attention to this new information,” said Lacey Lemke, director of eating disorder services with Ascension Illinois. “Eating disorders are on the rise in our children, even in those we would typically least expect. Any child can be affected by this issue.”
Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned that teen eating disorders are at an all-time high. This included an estimated doubling of the number of teen girls diagnosed.
“In our practice, we’ve seen a definite increase in teens and families needing help with an eating disorder,” Lemke said. “There’s been an increase in the seriousness of the cases we’re seeing, including hospitalizations to inpatient programs for stabilization.”
Lemke cites the COVID-19 pandemic for causing an increased need for connection through social media, which can place unrealistic body expectations on teens — both female and male — and shape their sense of self and self-esteem. She said an estimated 45 percent of 17-year-olds were regular social media users in 2018, which shot up to between 95 and 97 percent most recently.
She said that while some teens are genetically predisposed to eating disorders, the new pressure was an added push. Groups and discussions that were harmful and pushed the “benefits” of eating disorders popped up and were difficult for social media outlets to monitor and delete.
Parents can help their teen by paying attention to how they’re thinking about their bodies, Lemke said.
“Look for any fixation on weight, size and body image,” she said. “Watch for any secretive eating behavior, regularly passing on eating with the family or trips to the bathroom post-meal. Any distress around food is something to watch, as well.”
Eating disorders don’t discriminate, Lemke said, with all genders, races and socio-economic statuses being affected.
“If you see your teen struggling, talk to them and check with their doctor,” she said. “There are programs out there to help in inpatient and outpatient settings, with access to specialized therapists and dietitians. Get to the ‘why’ to correct the behavior to avoid it becoming a life-long issue.”
• Children’s health is a continuing series. This week’s column was submitted by Ascension Illinois.