Increase in hospital admissions among younger females due to eating disorders
In the past two decades, a concerning trend has emerged in Germany regarding the prevalence of eating disorders among girls and women. This increase mirrors a broader pattern observed in many developed countries, including those in Europe.
Contributing Factors
Several key factors have been identified as contributing to this rise.
- Pubertal and hormonal changes: The critical period of adolescence, marked by hormonal shifts and changes in body composition, can influence susceptibility to disorders like anorexia nervosa.
- Societal and cultural pressures: Increased societal expectations for thinness, autonomy, and peer influence during adolescence create psychological stressors that contribute to the development of eating disorders.
- Psychosocial and environmental factors: These include peer group values emphasizing body image, economic hardship, urbanization, and lifestyle changes promoting unhealthy dietary habits or restrictive eating behaviors.
- Biological and neuroendocrine factors: Dysregulation in hormones and peptides that regulate hunger and satiety may also play a role.
- Gastrointestinal diseases: Conditions such as celiac disease, if unrecognized or poorly managed, may increase the risk of developing eating disorders.
The Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic may have accelerated this trend, according to Stephan Bender, director of the Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy of the Child and Adolescent Age Group at the University of Cologne. Many children during the pandemic became isolated and turned their attention to topics such as food and weight, as well as social media.
Statistics
In 2023, around 12,100 patients were treated in hospitals for eating disorders, a figure slightly lower than the number in 2003 (12,600). However, the average length of treatment increased to 53.2 days, the highest figure since 2003. The number of girls and young women hospitalized for eating disorders has doubled in the past 20 years, from 3,000 in 2003 to 6,000 in 2023.
In 2023, anorexia nervosa was the most common diagnosis, accounting for over three-quarters of cases. Bulimia was diagnosed in 11% of patients, and the share of all patients with eating disorders who were girls and young women was 49.3%.
Deaths from eating disorders peaked in 2008, with 100 deaths, and in 2023, 78 people died from an eating disorder.
A high estimate published by the KKH Kaufmännische Krankenkasse health insurance company in May 2023 suggests that around 459,000 people in Germany had a diagnosed eating disorder.
Conclusion
While the precise prevalence data specific to Germany was not found in the provided search results, it is clear that eating disorders have become more prevalent among girls and women in Germany due to hormonal, psychological, social, and biological factors compounded by changing dietary environments and societal pressures. The COVID-19 pandemic may have acted as an accelerator for this rise, and there has been no trend reversal in the number of eating disorder cases. It is crucial for healthcare providers, policymakers, and society as a whole to address this issue and provide support and resources to those affected.
- The rise in eating disorders among girls and women in Germany could be linked to the increased focus on mental health within the health-and-wellness sector, given the high prevalence of these disorders among the target demographic.
- The concerning trend of eating disorders among women, particularly in women's health, could be aggravated by societal expectations and scientific advancements in various fields, including but not limited to, the deluge of social media influencers and dietary science.
