Clinicians across local children’s services have seen a rise in young people being admitted to hospital with eating disorders – as Tina Fisher, clinical lead nurse in Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust’s Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Eating Disorders Team explains in this month’s clinical column.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of young people needing specialist care for moderate to severe eating disorders has increased more than sixfold compared with before the pandemic. The cases we are seeing are often more complex and serious.
In 2022, the charity First Steps Eating Disorder Service was commissioned to support children and young people in Hertfordshire with mild to moderate symptoms. As First Steps has expanded its early intervention work into schools, referrals to our specialist CAMHS Eating Disorders Team have reduced from post-pandemic peak levels.
However, we still accepted over 200 young people with moderate to severe eating disorders in the last 12 months, around two to three times higher than pre-pandemic levels.
As well as access to training from charities such as the First Steps, teachers, school nurses and GPs will soon be offered additional NHS support to spot the early signs of eating disorders, so no child is left to ‘suffer in silence’
Ahead of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week on Monday 23 February, Tina and her colleagues are encouraging parents and carers to be aware of the early warning signs.
Tina explains: “Eating disorders can develop gradually and are not always obvious at first. Early conversations and early support can make a big difference.”
What parents may notice at home
Many families tell us that the first signs they noticed were changes in behaviour, emotions or routine rather than weight. These early shifts can include:
- Avoiding certain foods or becoming restrictive or “fussy”
- Cutting out foods they previously enjoyed
- Exercising more than usual or feeling unable to sit still
- Standing or pacing rather than relaxing
- Becoming withdrawn, irritable or unhappy
- Expressing anxiety about weight, body shape or eating
- Wanting to eat alone or skipping meals
“A common misconception is that a young person must be very underweight before they need help,” Tina adds. “That is not the case. Eating disorders are serious medical and psychological illnesses, and early changes in eating habits, exercise or body concerns are important to notice.”
The CAMHS Eating Disorders Team provides specialist assessment and treatment for young people up to the age of 18 with conditions including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. Most referrals are for young people aged 12 to 17, although younger children can also be affected.
What parents can do
If you are worried, try to start a calm, non-judgemental conversation. Focus on what you have observed rather than weight or appearance. Early support through your GP, school or CAMHS can prevent symptoms from escalating.
Eating disorders can feel frightening for families, but recovery is possible. Support is available locally through CAMHS and First Steps, as well as through national charities such as Beat Eating Disorders. You are not alone, and help is available.
