A large-scale study shows that the number of children admitted to hospital with an eating disorder has increased by more than 500 percent in the past decade.
Figures show that between 2012 and 2022 there has been an increase of two-thirds (65%) under 18s being treated in acute medical units for mental health problems.
Girls aged 11 to 15 saw the biggest jump, with experts warning of 'striking rates of self-harm'.
But the most striking statistics showed that admissions for eating disorders rose from 478 to 2,938 in the same period – an increase of almost 515 percent.
Researchers suggest a lack of community care worsens the problem, which other studies have linked to social media use.
The team analyzed data on all admissions of five to 18-year-olds to general acute medical wards in England over a ten-year period.
These units are separate from the specialist mental health units and provide rapid assessment, treatment and care for patients who are typically referred through the emergency department, their GP or an outpatient clinic.
The analysis found that mental health admissions rose from 24,198 to 39,925 – a 65 per cent increase compared to a 10 per cent increase in all-cause admissions, which rose from 311,067 to 342,511.
The grim statistics show that between 2012 and 2022, admissions for eating disorders rose from 478 to 2,938 – an increase of almost 515 percent (stock image)
The jump was biggest among girls aged 11 to 15: more than doubling from 9,091 to 19,349 (stock image)
Researchers suggest a lack of community care is exacerbating the problem, which other studies have linked to social media use (stock image)
The jump was largest among girls aged 11 to 15: more than doubling from 9,091 to 19,349.
According to the findings in the journal Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, more than half (53.4 percent) of mental health outcomes were due to self-harm.
Dr. Lee Hudson and lead author of the study said previous research has focused on mental health care in the community and inpatient hospitals, adding that this one was “missing a piece of the puzzle.”
He said: 'Acute medical units are important places for the care of young people with mental health problems – especially those with co-existing physical health problems such as starvation from an eating disorder.
'However, the increased intensity we describe poses real challenges for acute units, both for the patients and their families and for the staff who support them.
He said many are not set up or staffed to care for young people who need this help, and that more psychiatrists and nurses trained in mental health are needed both on the wards and in the community.
While the Covid-19 pandemic had a “profound impact” on young people, they said this was only one factor behind the rise in admissions.
Further investigation into the reasons behind the increase is underway, with young people, their families and staff on wards being interviewed.
Figures show an increase of two-thirds (65 percent) under 18s being treated in acute medical wards for mental health problems between 2012 and 2022 (stock image)
More than half (53.4 percent) of mental health outcomes were due to self-harm, according to findings in the journal Lancet Child & Adolescent Health (stock image)
Dr. Karen Street, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said this was 'further evidence of the alarming deterioration in the mental health and wellbeing of our children and young people.'
Nearly one in five children aged 7 to 17 are likely to have a mental health disorder and there has been a sharp increase in the complexity and intensity of reported mental health disorders, she said.
She added: 'More needs to be done to identify and understand the key drivers for this unprecedented increase so we can really design a service that works for our young people.'
Tom Quinn, of eating disorder charity Beat, said: 'These figures are alarming but unfortunately not surprising given the increasing numbers of children and young people being referred to community and inpatient services for eating disorders over the same period. Getting children access to treatment as early as possible is crucial to give them the best chance of recovery, but with the NHS so desperately underfunded it cannot start providing this level of care without urgent changes.
'It is essential that frontline staff on acute medical units, including non-specialist roles and future doctors, are equipped to recognize and treat complications of eating disorders. We also want community eating disorder services to get the funding they desperately need, so that once patients from general medical wards are well enough, they can be welcomed straight into specialist care with as little disruption to families' lives as possible.
'We also want eating disorders to be a priority within the Government's next 10-year health plan, so that people get help before they reach the point where they need medical admission and don't become unwell enough for urgent care.
'Finally, more research is needed to fully understand what is driving the rise in the number of children and young people with eating disorders and, crucially, how this worrying trend can be reversed.'
