Eating disorder hospitalizations on the rise, affecting 'atypical' groups the most

There was a disproportionate rise in pediatric eating disorder hospitalizations among males, younger adolescents, and individuals with eating disorder diagnoses other than anorexia or bulimia, according to a new study from researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and ICES. The study was published in JAMA Network Open.

This large, population-based study spanned a 17-year period in Ontario, Canada (2002-2019), and tracked an overall increase of 139% in eating disorder hospitalizations among children and adolescents, with a total of 11,654 hospitalizations. The number of co-occurring mental illness diagnoses for each hospitalization also rose.

Across all age groups, the researchers observed the largest absolute increases for females and those in mid-adolescence. However, other groups of individuals were disproportionately affected.

"Our study found that increasing numbers of pediatric eating disorder patients with characteristics traditionally considered atypical are becoming unwell enough to require hospitalization,” says Dr. Sarah Smith, an attending physician in the Department of Psychiatry at SickKids and ICES trainee. Dr. Smith completed the research as a fellow at Sick Kids.

Relative to other groups, the greatest increases were seen for, Males (an increase of 416%), Younger teens, aged 12-14 years (an increase of 196%); and those with eating disorders other than anorexia and bulimia nervosa (an increase of 255%).

The authors suggest several possible explanations for these rising rates, including an overall increase in the prevalence of eating disorders (particularly among less typical populations), improved screening and detection, and a reduction in stigma.

Reference: Eating disorder hospitalizations on the rise, affecting 'atypical' groups the most; JAMA Network Open, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.46012