Increase in Hospital Admissions Among Young Females Due to Eating Disorders
In Germany, there has been a significant increase in eating disorders among girls and women since the 1990s, with the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbating this trend.
Over the past 20 years, the number of girls and young women treated for eating disorders in hospitals has doubled, rising from 3,000 in 2003 to 6,000 in 2023. The share of all patients with eating disorders who are girls and young women has also increased, jumping from 23.4 percent in 2003 to 49.3 percent in 2023.
Anorexia nervosa remains the most frequently diagnosed eating disorder, accounting for nearly three-quarters of cases. The incidence of anorexia nervosa increased the most among young patients aged between 10 and 14 during the pandemic.
The duration of treatment for both women and men has increased, with the average length of treatment for an eating disorder lasting 53.2 days in 2023, the highest value since 2003. Tragically, 78 people died from an eating disorder in 2023, although this is a decrease compared to 2008 when there were 100 deaths.
Sociocultural pressures around body image, increased awareness and diagnostic sensitivity, and shifts in lifestyle and media influence are among the factors contributing to the rise in eating disorders. The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified these issues due to lockdowns, social isolation, disruption of routines, and heightened anxiety and depression.
Reports and studies from various countries, including Germany, indicate a surge in new cases and worsening symptoms in those with pre-existing eating disorders during and after the pandemic. Restrictions on social interactions and increased screen time may have amplified body image concerns and disordered eating behaviors.
The booming self-optimization scene and questionable ideals were also pointed out as contributing factors by health insurance companies. Many children during the pandemic became isolated and turned their attention to topics such as food and weight, as well as social media. Girls are directly addressed by relevant videos on social media, while women are particularly affected by eating disorders, with their share of hospital treatments increasing from 87.6 percent to 93.3 percent over the past 20 years.
No information was provided about the number of boys and young men treated for eating disorders or the number of deaths among them. However, a high estimate published by the KKH Kaufmännische Krankenkasse in May 2023 suggests that around 459,000 people in Germany had a diagnosed eating disorder.
Stephan Bender, director of the Clinic for Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy of the Child and Adolescent Age Group at the University Hospital of Cologne, suggests that the number of eating disorder cases has been increasing since the 1990s. For more precise German data, one would consult health ministry publications, psychiatric research studies, or international epidemiological assessments focusing on post-1990 trends and pandemic impacts on eating disorders in Germany.
