A study conducted in the UK has found a dramatic increase in the number of patients being treated for eating disorders. The increase means that more hospital beds are being occupied by eating disorders patients, which leaves less room for other patients.

"While the average as of sufferers was 24, under-15s made up a fifth of the total, 25 percent more than 2005/06. Findings also reveal that NHS hospital admissions for bulimia increased 9 percent to 150."

A spokesman for the eating disorder charity Beat said the organization is "delighted" that data from the study is being release so that people can better understand the extent of the problem.

The Aspen Institute offers emotional behavior disorder assessments and treatment for troubled teens.

Labels: awareness, hospitals