THERE has been a 37 per cent rise in hospital admissions for eating disorders in just two years. NHS Digital data for England obtained by the PA news agency shows a rise across all age groups, including for teenage girls with anorexia.
The data shows there were 19,040 admissions for eating disorders among all age groups in 2018/19, up from 16,558 in 2017/18 and 13,885 in 2016/17.
The 2018/19 figures include 4,471 admissions for eating disorders in children aged 18 and under, up 8 per cent from 4,158 the year before.
More than half of these most recent admissions in children were for anorexia, at 2,403 admissions, up 12 per cent from 2,147 the year before.
This included 10 cases of anorexia among boys and six among girls aged nine and under. There were 186 admissions for anorexia in girls aged 10 to 12 in 2018/19, and 27 for boys aged 10 to 12. The most common age for hospital admission with anorexia was 13 to 15.
Emma Thomas, chief executive of the charity Young Minds, said the figures were "worrying".
She added: "Getting early support for an eating disorder can prevent problems from escalating, meaning young people are more likely to fully recover. The government must make prevention and early intervention a priority for every child struggling with their mental health, to ensure that they get help as soon as they need it."
Dr Agnes Ayton of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said eating disorders were "the deadliest mental health disorders".
"Healthcare professionals need to be better trained at spotting eating disorders as early diagnosis and treatment can reduce hospital admissions and saves lives," she said.
