eating disorders have increased during covid-19 — how to recognize them and how to help

eating disorders are the  third most common chronic condition in adolescence , behind only asthma and obesity. they affect  four per cent of the population , 90 per cent of whom are female, mostly teenagers and young adults.

with the covid-19 pandemic, there has been a dramatic increase in eating disorders  in canada  and  internationally . a number of factors related to covid-19 lockdowns and school closures — such as isolation from peers, disrupted routines, suspension of activities and increased stress and anxiety — may have contributed to this increase.

myth 1: eating disorders are a choice

when the body is malnourished,  the brain is, too . this changes the way the brain sees the body, and the way it sees food.

myth 2: eating disorders only impact mental health

anorexia nervosa has the  highest mortality of any psychiatric illness , and mortality risk increases with every decade that someone suffers with it.

the esophagus can also tear from the force of vomiting. a small tear can cause small amounts of bleeding, but sometimes these tears are large, and the bleeding is life-threatening. vomiting can also create electrolyte imbalances, which can affect heart rhythm. these are just a few of the many physical effects of  anorexia nervosa  and  bulimia nervosa .

myth 3: you need to be under-weight to have an eating disorder

about 20 to 35 per cent of those with an eating disorder have a  history of being overweight . when they lose weight, they are often praised for it, reinforcing any unhealthy strategies they may have used, encouraging them to continue.

recognizing risks

there are  many things  that can contribute to an eating disorder. genetics and family history play a role, and going through puberty is a time that can be particularly stressful. we also know that being teased about your weight, being in a home where weight is talked about a lot, a personal or family history of dieting (especially a mother) can increase the risk.  social media  and  media exposure  can also contribute.

some  clues that might signal the presence of an eating disorder  include:

• eliminating whole food groups
• becoming more rigid around food
• not eating around others
• cooking or baking, but not eating the food
• playing with food more
• breaking food into small pieces rather than taking bites
• more focus on food labels/content
• spending lots of time in the bathroom, especially right after meals

• exercise becomes compulsive (for example, it’s not ok to miss a workout)

while eating disorders can’t always be prevented,  risks can be decreased . eating together as a family, avoiding weight talk and not labelling food as good or bad can all help.

encouraging activity because it’s fun, not to change the way someone’s body looks, is also key. remember that all bodies are good bodies, and you can have  health at every size .

if you suspect someone you know has an eating disorder, talk to them about it. if their brain is malnourished, they may not be able to see the problem, so these conversations can be difficult. the  national eating disorder information centre  is a great resource. as hard as it is, taking this step and getting them to their family doctor as soon as possible may save lives.