The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project recently released comparative information about inpatient admissions for treatment of eating disorders for 1999-2000 and 2005-2006. During that six year span, admissions increased about 18 percent in the United States.

The Pittsburgh Mental Health Examiner provided the following details:

• Anorexia nervosa admissions were up 17 percent.
• Admissions for treatment of bulimia nervosa dropped 7 percent within the same time frame.
• The "other/unspecified" eating disorder diagnosis increased by 41 percent.

Perhaps the most shocking statistic was the increase in hospitalizations for kids under the age of 12, which was up a staggering 119 percent. The number of males hospitalized, across all age groups, jumped 37 percent.

Labels: hospitals

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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

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The Royal Children's Hospital in Victoria, Australia has so many new anorexia cases - amid a decrease in funding - that it's been forced to close its doors to new patients. Admissions among 10- to 13-year-olds alone have increased from three in 2003 to 43 last year.

"State Government funding has not increased to meet demand and despite pleas for help the hospital, which does not have the staff to deal with so many cases, has been forced to reduce its eating disorder beds from twelve to six, and limit new admissions."

The hospital recently admitted a 13-year-old girl who was so sick that she went immediately to intensive care. Exacerbating the situation is a lack of outpatient resources such as counseling. Read more at TheAge.com.

Luckily, here in the US, we have private residential treatment centers, like Island View in Utah, which can help children with a variety of emotional and behavioral issues. Visit www.islandview-rtc.com for more information.

Labels: treatment, children, hospitals

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