Shocking figures show more than 1.2 million people in the UK are estimated to have an eating disorder, and hospital admissions for those severely affected have risen by more than a third in recent years.
Meanwhile, Britain’s leading eating disorder charity, Beat, has reported an 80 per cent surge in calls to its helpline since the first Covid-19 lockdown in March last year.
As well as the emotional strain of the pandemic, the increase in figures is thought to be caused by a combination of factors including the effect of social media on self-esteem and body image.
Britain’s leading eating disorder charity, Beat, has reported an 80 per cent surge in calls to its helpline since the first Covid-19 lockdown in March last year