Research has shown a "significant increase" in Australians suffering from eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the announcement of a new national research centre for treatment and prevention.
InsideOut Institute research revealed 88 per cent of participants in the study experienced an increase in body image concerns, while 74 per cent increased their food restrictions and dieting.
The research involved 1723 people with eating disorder symptoms studied through the first major COVID-19 wave in 2020.
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https://twitter.com/InsideOutInst/status/1484666932779692032The research also found 66 per cent of the participants increased their binge eating, 49 per cent over-exercised and 25 per cent increased their participation in self-induced vomiting.
Mental Health Commission CEO Christine Morgan said there has been "an explosion in eating disorders".
"And most concerningly in early-onset eating disorders, our little people are getting them a lot earlier," she said
"The estimation we worked on a few years ago that over a million Australians have eating disorders, though not a million are diagnosed or treated.
"I actually believe that number has significantly increased... we are talking about far more than a million Australians."
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Lead Researcher Dr Jane Miskovic-Wheatley said the rise in these symptoms was due to the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning a change in daily routines, a lack of access to treatment and support, and the exposure to news coverage and social media.
"The COVID-19 pandemic public health response, while necessary, has had a detrimental impact on the mental health of people with an eating disorder," Dr Miskovic-Wheatley said.
"I don't want us to underestimate what the long-term impacts might be for people affected by eating disorders – this is something we are currently investigating."
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The rise in the prevalence of eating disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked today's announcement of Federal Government funding to the amount of $13 million for a new national research centre.
Through a partnership between the InsideOut Institute and the University of Sydney, an Australian-first research centre will be established.
The centre will coordinate a national approach to eating disorder research and translate findings into practice in treating Australians with eating disorders.
Ms Morgan said this is an "exciting announcement" and will be a "gamechanger".
"Critically, it also involves lived experience and we know that has been a gamechanger in understanding eating disorders and what is needed to treat them," she said.
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The centre will pioneer research and translate it into treatment options, changes in clinical practice, prevention and sustainable recovery.
"In 2022 we still have Australians who are undiagnosed and therefore untreated," Ms Morgan said.
"One day we will be able to prevent these disorders and translated research will drive us to there."
The government has previously allocated $110 million for Medicare-subsidised treatment of eating disorders.
People living with eating disorders or disordered eating, or who are concerned about themselves, or their loved ones are encouraged to contact the Butterfly Foundation Helpline on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673).For more information, visit the COVID Help Hub . To access health professionals providing eating disorder treatment, visit the Butterfly Referral database.
