FEATURE: KRISTIN DELLA VOLPE
A Perfect Storm: Rise in Eating Disorders Among Teens During COVID-19 Eating disorders among adolescents have doubled since the start of the pandemic and patients are presenting with more severe symptoms.
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The pandemic was cited as a trigger among 40% of newlydiagnosed teens.
6 THE CLINICAL ADVISOR • MARCH/APRIL 2022 • www.ClinicalAdvisor.com
ediatric clinicians are sounding the alarm on the marked rise in eating disorders and symptom severity in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eating disorders are the most deadly psychiatric condition in children, with 1 in 5 dying from suicide or medical complications related to the disorder.1,2 Experts have stressed that the need to take action is urgent.1,2 “We are seeing eating disorders rise in rates that I have never seen in my whole career,” said Jessica Peck, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, CNL, immediate past president of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP). As the COVID-19 pandemic surged, eating behaviors may have become an outlet for control among at-risk youth, said Dr Peck, who is also clinical professor at the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing in Dallas, Texas. Eating disorders often have a protracted course and are difficult to treat, with only 31% of patients with anorexia nervosa recovering within 10 years.3 Early recognition and treatment of eating disorders is essential, Dr Peck said. But for children and teens, finding qualified mental health providers may be difficult. Currently, only 10 child psychiatrists are available for every 100,000 pediatric patients.4 Nearly 3 million children and adolescents do not have access to a school-based mental health professional, such as a school psychologist, counselor, or
