Hospital admissions for eating disorders increased by 250% during the pandemic, and figures now sit at around double what they were pre-pandemic.

Research on eating disorders is being presented at a conference organised by St John of Gods today that brings practitioners, academics and those suffering from eating disorders together to better understand how to combat the condition.

Speaking on the conference and its findings with Newstalk Breakfast was Professor Fiona Mac Nicholas, a consultant psychiatrist at CHI Crumlin and Lucena Clinic, and she highlighted how the degree this is afflicting young people and children is significant.

She explained: "We always knew that eating disorders has a peak age of onset in adolescence, so from about 13 to 18 year old is the time at which anorexia nervosa in particular comes on. Binge eating and bulimia nervosa may be a little bit later.

"But what is concerning is that internationally, not just in Ireland, but Ireland was also showing the signs that there seemed to have been a particular spike with COVID that caused eating disorders or certainly led to an increase in referrals and attendances at both community and inpatient settings.

"If you think about the pandemic now, fortunately many years ago, the complete shutdown for adolescence was huge; lack of social connection, but also lack of their usual routine and structure.

"Many of the normal healthy behaviours of going to the gym and eating with friends socially and everything were removed. There was also a public health kind of message, keep healthy, exercise, cook with your family.

"So on the one hand, there was a big focus around exercise and eating, and on the other hand, adolescents and younger kids were struggling with anxiety about who they were, their social connections and will they keep in contact?"

Another increasing factor is social media and the images that are being shared online. Women and men are bombarded with images of "ideal bodies" online, which puts unnecessary pressure on people of all ages.

Not only that, but people are also posting videos and images of themselves online more often, which might make them feel like they need to look even better.

Interestingly, according to Professor Mac Nicholas, if people develop eating disorders in adolescence could result in a better outcome than if it's developed as young as 10 or younger, or in adult years. 

When asked if she sees people presenting with symptoms of eating disorders as young as 8-10 years old, she replied: "Absolutely, yes, sadly.

"The big thing is in children that have very little fat stores is not to tolerate and disregard any small amount of weight loss or suddenly going on the healthy diet that somebody might have recommended, cutting out sweets and fat and whatever.

"Just be alert to that and kind of monitor yourself carefully. Similarly, GPs and teachers, not to disregard weight loss. And if you are worried, it's just to tighten up your usual routine around meals.

"Encourage kids to eat together and also encourage them to think about their self-esteem that goes way beyond body image."

If you, or anyone you know, who's been affected by this topic, there is a helpline you can call available seven days a week through Bodywhys on 01-2107906

Main image: File image of an unhappy teenage girl sitting in a bathroom looking at a scales and tape measure