COVID-19 may have negative impact on people with eating disorders

LONDON: Researchers have stated that the COVID-19 pandemic may have a negative impact on the people with experience of eating disorders.

According to the research in the UK, approximately 1.25 million people in London alone have an eating disorder. 

While it is evident that the COVID-19 outbreak is having a significant effect on the global population, the study stated that the pandemic raises additional, unique challenges for individuals with eating disorders, medical daily reported.

Read more: Vaccine won’t end coronavirus right away: Health experts

During the early stages of the pandemic lockdown, Dr. Dawn Branley-Bell and Dr. Catherine Talbot from the Northumbria University in the UK surveyed individuals across the country who are currently experiencing, or in recovery from, an eating disorder.

The results suggest that disruptions to daily life as a result of lockdown and social distancing may have a detrimental impact on an individual’s wellbeing, with almost nine out of ten (87 percent) of participants reporting that their symptoms had worsened as a result of the pandemic. According to the researchers, over 30 percent stated that their symptoms were much worse.