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EATING DISORDER STATISTICS AND COVID-19

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THE INTERVIEWS

THE INTERVIEWS

A 2021 study report showed that Hospital admissions due to eating disorders increased by 30% in female patients 12-18 years old. Various medical professionals provided their input and argued that the root of this spike in cases was derived from many different causes. Some factors they claimed contributed to these skyrocketing numbers included: the loss of familiar routines and connections with friends, anxiety/stress from the pandemic, food insecurity at home, boredom, isolation, the loss of friends and family members, being fixated on appearances while on camera on zoom, etc. In a Hartford Healthcare article Dr. Jennifer Downs, MD, noted that “Some kids got caught up in the health craze and continued to an unhealthy point. ” Officials began to act quickly as the mental health impacts of the pandemic intensified. The National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) reported a 40% increase in calls to their hotline since March of 2020. They even included a specific section on their website for COVID-19 RESOURCES. They stated,

“Everyone deserves support for their eating concerns, and NEDA wants to connect you with resources that can help in addition to professional help. In this time of great uncertainty and disturbance, we face the added danger that isolation brings to those among us who are struggling with an eating disorder. ” With that being said, the association provided viewers with options such as video check-ins, a link to the hotline, NEDA network virtual support groups, 24/7 chat forums, and listed options for free and low-income support. However, this did not change the fact that eating disorder rates were heightened not only by the increase in new cases but the severity and impact on those who were previously struggling. While being stuck at home with nothing to do and messages on social media on preventing the “quarantine 15” it has continued to amplify eating disorders on both ends of the spectrum. As our lives are slowly coming back to the ordinary and more people are getting vaccinated, it is crucial to recognize that many of these issues that developed during the pandemic or were heightened will not disappear overnight. Life returning to somewhat normal is not an excuse to stop trying to support those who may have been affected.

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THE QUARAN-FIFTEEN

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