A connected approach to eating disorders

Rising Burden on Irish Youth

Eating disorders have escalated sharply in Ireland, mirroring broader Western trends but hitting particularly hard locally. A Health Research Board study documented a 121% increase in inpatient admissions for under-18s between 2018 and 2022, from 170 to 375 cases, with acute medical hospitals handling the majority rather than specialised psychiatric units.

This surge peaked during the COVID-19 pandemic but has not fully subsided, contributing to eating disorders becoming the most frequent diagnosis among children and adolescents in psychiatric hospital admissions for the second year running by 2024. Nationally, estimates suggest 1 in 20 people will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime, with onset typically between ages 12 and 25, and hospital admissions rising by around 66% in recent years.

The real-world costs are mounting: prolonged inpatient stays strain acute services, delay treatment for other patients, and expose young people to risks like organ damage, osteoporosis, or suicide—the latter elevated in untreated cases. Inaction carries high stakes, including higher long-term healthcare expenditure and lost productivity, as early intervention dramatically improves recovery odds.

Non-obvious angles include the mismatch between service delivery—dominated by crisis-driven hospital admissions—and calls for more preventive, community-based multidisciplinary care that incorporates psychological, nutritional, and social supports. Men represent about 25% of cases but seek help less often due to stigma, while the rise in binge eating disorder and influences like weight loss medications add complexity to traditional anorexia-focused models. Globally, prevalence has climbed steadily since 2000, with projections indicating continued increases through the 2030s, underscoring that isolated national efforts face headwinds from shared drivers like social media and diet culture.

In Ireland's context, the timing aligns with Eating Disorders Awareness Week efforts to spotlight connection and community amid these pressures, as fragmented services struggle to meet demand.