As a result of experiencing a pandemic for almost two years, people’s lives have been turned upside down. People could not see friends or family; school and work were transitioned to remote settings, and strict limitations and guidelines were enforced. Although these restrictions were put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19, the change in routine, structure, and everyday life, along with the anxiety caused by the virus, led to emerging eating disorders. Additionally, it has become challenging to cope with and manage emotions for those already struggling with eating disorders or body image issues.

By: Sadie Grant

As much of the United States has reopened and returned to almost normal, many of us are still dealing with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to affecting many families and individuals’ physical health and financial stability, COVID-19 has had a tremendous effect on mental health, including exacerbating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and disordered eating. There appears to be a strong link between the global pandemic and eating disorders, which are characterized by a change in eating behaviors accompanied by related disturbances in thoughts and emotions (American Psychiatric Association, 2021).

How Has The Pandemic Influenced Eating Disorders?

Across the country, health professionals have seen a rise in referrals for clients with disordered eating and eating disorders. In a review of the impact of COVID-19 on eating disorders published by MedPage Today, clinicians reported observing a significant increase in the demand for eating disorder treatment during the pandemic. For example, the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill reported seeing a 30-40% increase to their eating disorder clinic referrals. Similarly, clinicians at Children's National Hospital in Washington D.C. reported seeing double the number of eating disorder admissions (D'Ambrosio, 2021). Lisa Tuchman, Children’s National Hospital’s Division Chief of Adolescent Medicine, observed an increase in the number of patients experiencing medical issues due to inadequate nutrition (D'Ambrosio, 2021). According to insurance claims, risk factors for an eating disorder, including depression and anxiety, rose by 80-90% during the global pandemic. In fact, by August 2020, eating disorders became the 5th most often diagnosed mental health condition in the United States (D'Ambrosio, 2021).

Why Has The COVID-19 Pandemic So Startlingly Exacerbated Eating Disorder Symptoms And Behaviors?

Increased Isolation

The global pandemic resulted in schools, businesses, and events closing, which led to increased isolation, a leading risk factor for eating disorders. Isolation can lead to decreased feelings of belonging, which can exacerbate symptoms of depression and anxiety and increase the risk of disordered eating behaviors. Isolation can also reduce accountability and support for those struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating.

Social Media

With fewer opportunities for face-to-face interaction, many spend a significant amount of time on social media; which often promotes messages, images, and tips for weight loss and fitness. The hashtag #Quarantine15 even trended on TikTok and Instagram back in the spring of 2020 as many social media influencers capitalized on people’s fear of weight gain to promote diet and exercise products and regimens during the pandemic. Emilie Burgess, a registered dietician who works with athletes with eating disorders, reported that many of her clients followed fitness influencers on TikTok. With limited access to seeing real people each day, many of us are more susceptible to believing that the bodies we see online are “right” and “normal” (D'Ambrosio, 2021).

Work, School, and Everything From Home

Staying in the home for days at a time, always near the kitchen, can increase obsessive thoughts about food. At the very beginning of the pandemic, many people stocked up on foods that could last long in storage, such as pasta, nut butter, and frozen entrees. These may be foods individuals with disordered eating or eating disorders consider “bad” or “fear foods.” For those who have a difficult relationship with eating, being constantly surrounded by food can be distressing. To cope with food anxiety, individuals may be more susceptible to negative behaviors, such as restricting, over-exercising, binging, or purging.

A Loss Of Control

For many people, leaving home to work, attending school, and doing other activities provides routine. With the transition from busy schedules to lots of time spent at home, some individuals could experience more disordered eating thoughts and behaviors. Furthermore, some people may, unfortunately, use eating disorder behaviors as a coping mechanism for the uncertainty of the pandemic.

The coronavirus pandemic has interfered with daily living for nearly everyone. The last two years have significantly impacted our mental health, eating patterns, overall self-esteem, and body image. As the world continues to navigate its new normal, everyone struggling with eating disorder behaviors or other mental health concerns should have access to support and treatment. Whether meeting with clinicians virtually or in-person, it is possible to recover from an eating disorder even while living through a global pandemic.

At BALANCE eating disorder treatment center™, we offer a variety of programs and services targeted at helping clients overcome disordered eating and develop a healthy relationship with food and their body. In addition to our full-time Day Treatment Program and Weeknight Intensive Outpatient Program, we offer nutrition counseling with a licensed dietitian, meal support, and various other groups and resources to assist those seeking help for food concerns.

Our admissions team would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our programs and services. Book a call below, or read more about our philosophy here.

This post was written by BALANCE Blog Intern, Sadie Grant.

Sadie is a recent graduate of Oberlin College with a B.A. in psychology. After recovering from disordered eating, Sadie became passionate about eating disorder awareness, body neutrality, and destabilizing beauty standards that are established by social and cultural norms. While earning her Bachelor’s degree, Sadie conducted quantitative research, worked with populations experiencing barriers to essential services, and studied Spanish. Sadie hopes to use her developing research and interpersonal skills to work in the field of eating disorders and address the way in which expectations around eating and beauty vary across different populations.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2021). What Are Eating Disorders? https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/eating-disorders/what-are-eating-disorders.

Coronavirus Quarantine and Eating Disorders: A Perfect Storm. Center For Discovery. (2020, April 3). https://centerfordiscovery.com/blog/coronavirus-quarantine-and-eating-disorders/.

D'Ambrosio, A. (2021, March 4). Eating Disorders: Another Consequence of COVID-19. Medical News. https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/91483.

How COVID-19 Has Impacted Eating Disorders