Eating disorders have returned after the pandemic

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, Spain has seen an alarming increase in eating disorders (EDs), exacerbated by widespread ignorance and social obsession with weight and body mass index (BMI).

According to the latest data, about 9% of the world’s population suffers from some type of ED, which is about 70 million people. In Spain, the pandemic has led to a 20% increase in the incidence, causing the prevalence among the female population to rise from 5% to 10%.

Although anorexia and bulimia are the most well-known disorders, there are many myths and misinformation. For example, bulimia is not always accompanied by vomiting; Some people use other cleansing or compensation methods. Atypical anorexia, recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V), affects people who are at or above normal weight but have the same fears and dietary restrictions as classic anorexia nervosa.

This misinformation has serious consequences. Many people do not seek help because they do not fit the low weight stereotype associated with these disorders. Moreover, health care providers are often under-informed, leading to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. Unless the patient’s BMI is at least 17, many cases go undetected, worsening and chronicizing the disease.

Least known TCAs

Other lesser-known eating disorders, such as pica and night eating syndrome, also pose serious problems.

Pica, characterized by eating non-food substances, is common in pregnant women and young children. Night eating syndrome, which combines morning anorexia with nighttime overeating, is associated with sleep problems and circadian dysregulation, affecting both normal-weight people and those who are overweight or obese.

Recovering from ED is especially challenging because, unlike other addictions, food is essential to life. Additionally, the stigma and shame surrounding these disorders can make it difficult to seek help. It is critical to recognize that ED can affect people of all weights and that assessment and treatment should not focus solely on BMI. @mundiario