Cassandra Szklarski
Trent University student Sterling Renzoni is shown in a handout photo. Renzoni says the pandemic has made it harder for many young people struggling with eating disorders.
Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Sterling Renzoni January 21, 2021 - 5:30 AM TORONTO - Pediatric and mental health experts say pandemic stress is driving a spike in eating disorders among adolescents and teens, pointing to school disruptions, social isolation and infection fears as destabilizing factors that could have long-term physical and mental health effects. Doctors at Toronto s Hospital for Sick Children, Ottawa s pediatric hospital and research centre CHEO and the Alberta Children s Hospital in Calgary are among those noting a significant jump in admissions and demand for outpatient treatment.
TORONTO Pediatric and mental health experts say pandemic stress is driving a spike in eating disorders among adolescents and teens, pointing to school disruptions, social isolation and infection fears as destabilizing factors that could have long-term physical and mental health effects. Doctors at Toronto s Hospital for Sick Children, Ottawa s pediatric hospital and research centre CHEO and the Alberta Children s Hospital in Calgary are among those noting a significant jump in admissions and demand for outpatient treatment. Dr. Ellie Vyver of the Alberta Children s Hospital says admissions more than doubled at her hospital between July and September last year and continue to rise. Colleagues across the country are reporting similar signs of despair.