Stamford counsellor's advice for parents amid rise in young people with eating disorders
There's been an 84% rise in hospital admissions relating to eating disorders in the last 5 years
A Stamford and Rutland counsellor has noticed the "sharp increase" in people with eating disorders, and says that even children in primary school are more food-conscious.
A new report from the Royal College of Psychiatrists shows there's been a rise in the number of hospital admissions relating to eating disorders by 84% in the last five years.
Young people and children also seem to becoming more affected, with admissions rising from 3,541 to 6,713, with a 35% increase in the last year alone as the Covid pandemic hit.
Julie Griffin is a psychotherapist specialising in young people:
'Over the last few years I've had a lot more referrals for people with eating disorders, and it's very much linked to anxiety as well. As a parent, as a carer, it's about keeping the communication channels open.'
'I've definitely noticed a sharp rise in the past few years in young people with eating disorders, and also as young as primary school children are certainly a lot more aware with image, and eating patterns - that type of thing.'
The advice for parents
The Royal College of Psychiatrists says there were 11,049 more admissions for illnesses such as bulimia and anorexia in 2020/21 than in 2015/16.
As some eating disorders can be difficult to detect, Julie thinks it's important to keep good communication with young people:
'It's probably easer for the parents or the carers to pick up on some of the changes in the young people. Anorexia, yes it can be difficult to pick up in blood tests but you know eventually there's muscle loss and the periods will stop in the girls.'
'But any changes to behaviours, refusal to eat with family, refusal to go out for meals, clothes that are hanging off them, those kind of things. It's a sign, and something for us adults to pick up on.'
'With the bulimia, disappearing after meals, spending more time away from families, that kind of thing so, some young people will acknowledge their problem, but the key to this is catching it early, so a bit of a joint responsibility there between the adult, carers, parents, schools, society, as well as the young person.'
To find out more about eating disorders and how to help, visit the NHS links below:
Find Eating disorder support services