Challenges brought on by Covid can increase feelings of isolation and worsen symptoms. These include the inability to meet with others face-to-face and social media feeds that uphold ideal body standards.

Reduced connection during isolation

Many individuals feel the need to set aside their own problems in order to care for others. People with eating disorders are at risk for putting their recovery on hold to be available for others instead.

The need to prioritize others’ problems over one’s own

Professional care has been challenging when many in-person treatment options are reduced. Concerns from ED patients include anxiety about missing weigh-ins and feeling as though online therapy isn’t as effective as in-person appointments.

Difficulties receiving professional care

1. Reduced connection during isolation	
2. The need to prioritize others’ problems over one’s own
3. Difficulties receiving professional care

University of California, Berkeley

1. Physical risk for exacerbating symptoms
2. Psychological risk for exacerbating symptoms
3. Risk of developing an ED
4. Concerns from ED patients and their caregivers

Risk factors concerning Covid and eating disorders

Fernández-Aranda, F., Casas, M., Claes, L., Bryan, D.C., Favaro, A., Granero, R., Gudiol, C., Jiménez-Murcia, S., Karwautz, A., Le Grange, D., Menchón, J.M., Tchanturia, K. and Treasure, J. (2020), COVID-19 and implications for eating disorders. Eur Eat Disorders Rev, 28: 239-245. https://doi-org.libproxy.berkeley.edu/10.1002/erv.2738

COVID-19 and implications for eating disorders

Individuals with eating disorders are at high risk for developing Covid due to a multitude of health complications that these disorders have on the body. Examples include frailty in people with anorexia, electrolyte imbalances in people with bulimia, and cardiovascular complications in people with binge eating disorder. 

Physical risk for exacerbating symptoms

Many individuals have experienced psychological distress during Covid, and those with eating disorders may have felt uncertainty with the state of their treatment during quarantine periods. This could cause exacerbated symptoms of their eating disorders. Decreased communication with healthcare providers and other support systems may also worsen symptoms.

Psychological risk for exacerbating symptoms

A number of factors could lead to an increased risk of developing an eating disorder during Covid. Isolation may prompt more time spent on social media, exposing people to ideal body types. In addition, the trend of coping with the “quarantine 15” could cause disordered eating behaviors. Alternatively, stress caused by Covid uncertainties may impact emotional eating behaviors.

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