Why have, for many years, eating disorders disproportionately affected girls?

In a previous episode of the Food Matters Live podcast, we focused on how eating disorders affect boys and men.

For boys and men, it is a relatively new topic of discussion, even if the issue has been around for some time.

But girls and young women eating disorders have been spoken about in public discourse for much longer.

The problem is, the number of people affected is still rising.

According to the NHS, more young people than ever are receiving treatment for eating disorders.

In the last year, there has been a 35% increase in hospital admissions, with girls aged 17-to-19 having higher rates than any other demographic.

They are difficult figures to ignore and raise the question: Why do eating disorders affect more girls than boys?

What role do the media, the food industry, and social pressure have to play?

And, as the London Centre for Eating Disorders suggests, has the Covid pandemic had an impact on cases?

Fiona Hamlin, Registered Dietitian

Cliona Brennan, The London Centre for Eating Disorders and Body Image