Hospitals recorded 2,290 eating disorder admissions in the 12 months to June 2012; a 16% rise on the previous 12 month period. Children and teenagers aged 10 to 19 accounted for more than half of admissions in the latest 12 month period, up from 49% in the previous 12 months.
The biggest number of admissions were for 15-year-old girls (at nearly 10% of all such admissions), who also accounted for the most admissions in the previous 12 months (just over 9% of all such admissions). Commenting on the figures, HSCIC chief executive Tim Straughan said: “It might be assumed that a person suffering with an eating disorder is cared for in the community through primary services rather than in hospital; with activity in secondary care only part of a bigger picture. However our figures suggest that hospitals in England are admitting a greater number of eating disorder cases than in previous years. “The data points to a relatively small but nevertheless significant rise in child admissions for the treatment of an eating disorder. This information will be of interest and concern to health professionals and the public alike.”
