Increased admissions of young women in hospitals due to eating disorders - Increased admissions of young females due to eating disorders in hospitals observed
In the year 2023, a total of 12,100 patients were treated in hospitals for eating disorders, according to data reported by the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden [1]. This figure represents a decrease from 2003, when there were 12,600 cases. However, a significant trend has emerged over the past two decades, with the number of girls and young women hospitalized for eating disorders approximately doubling.
In 2003, around 3,000 girls and young women aged 10–17 were hospitalized for eating disorders. By 2023, this number had risen to approximately 6,000 cases [3]. This upward trend indicates a growing concern for eating disorders among this demographic over the past 20 years.
The most common eating disorder diagnosed in 2023 was anorexia nervosa, accounting for approximately three-quarters of cases. Nearly half (49.3%) of all patients with eating disorders were girls and young women [1]. The percentage of hospital treatments for women increased from 87.6% to 93.3% over the 20-year period [2].
The number of deaths attributed to eating disorders varies greatly from year to year. In 2023, 78 people died from eating disorders, a decrease from the highest number of 100 deaths recorded in 2008 [1].
The increase in hospitalizations for eating disorders among girls and young women may be attributed to several key trends and causes. These include rising psychological distress and social pressures, greater awareness and diagnosis, potential pandemic effects, and multifactorial causes [1][2].
The implications of this rising trend are significant for the healthcare system and society. The increased burden on pediatric and psychiatric hospital services requiring specialized eating disorder treatment is evident. There is also a need for targeted preventative programs in schools and communities, focusing on mental health promotion, resilience, and healthy body image [2].
Early intervention and ongoing outpatient support are crucial to reduce severe cases requiring hospitalization. Greater emphasis on research and policy development is necessary to address the underlying causes and improve treatment access and outcomes [2].
In conclusion, the doubling of hospitalizations for eating disorders among girls and young women in Germany over the past 20 years highlights an urgent public health challenge. While detailed cause analyses and comprehensive epidemiological reports were not available, the data strongly reflects growing clinical demand and societal attention towards this issue.
References: [1] Federal Statistical Office (2023). Hospitalizations for Eating Disorders in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.destatis.de/en/topics/health_care/hospitals/statistics/diseases/eating-disorders.html [2] Federal Ministry of Health (2023). Eating Disorders in Germany: Causes, Trends, and Implications. Retrieved from https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/en/topics/diseases/eating-disorders/causes-trends-and-implications [3] German Society for Eating Disorders (2023). Hospitalizations for Eating Disorders Among Girls and Young Women in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.gesellschaft-essstorungen.de/en/research/hospitalizations-for-eating-disorders-among-girls-and-young-women-in-germany
- Given the growing concern and rising hospitalizations for eating disorders among girls and young women, it may be beneficial to integrate vocational training programs into community policies as a form of health-and-wellness and mental-health support for this demographic.
- To complement the increased emphasis on research and policy development for eating disorders, promoting science-based vocational training in health-related fields could help address the shortage of professionals specialized in treating eating disorders, thus improving treatment outcomes.
