A group of UK MPs has issued a stark call for urgent government intervention, urging that eating disorders be treated as a national emergency due to the alarming rise in conditions such as anorexia and bulimia over the past decade. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Eating Disorders, in its report, highlights the devastating impact these disorders are having on individuals and families, describing the current level of care as “woefully inadequate.” Eating disorders are increasingly being recognized as serious mental health issues rather than mere lifestyle choices, with more people across all demographics affected. This crisis has reached a point where lives are being lost, and families torn apart. As eating disorders continue to surge, there is a pressing need for better understanding, support, and treatment for those affected.
The report underscores the need for greater awareness of the different types of eating disorders and the fact that they do not discriminate by gender, age, or ethnicity. While many people still view these disorders as conditions that primarily affect white teenage girls, the reality is far broader. Eating disorders now affect a wide range of individuals, including both males and females, and people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The statistics are staggering, with a 2023 mental health survey revealing that 12% of 17-19-year-olds and nearly 21% of young women suffer from eating disorders. In total, between two and three million adults in the UK are expected to experience eating disorders at some point in their lives, which is comparable to the number of people affected by diabetes. Furthermore, hospital admissions for eating disorders have steadily increased since 2000 and surged further since the pandemic, with over 31,000 admissions recorded in 2023-24 alone.
The MPs’ report emphasizes that services for treating eating disorders are severely underfunded, with significant barriers to accessing care and widespread variations in the quality of treatment available across the country. As a result, the report calls for a national strategy to ensure that people with eating disorders, along with their families and healthcare providers, receive the necessary support. The MPs are also advocating for mandatory training for frontline workers such as teachers, nurses, and GPs, so they can better recognize the signs of eating disorders and offer timely, effective help. Consultant psychiatrist Dr. Vic Chapman, who works for an eating-disorder service, supports the idea of more comprehensive training for healthcare professionals, acknowledging the existing gaps in treatment.
One of the key challenges highlighted in the report is the difficulty patients face in obtaining accurate diagnoses and timely care. Mollie Campbell, a 17-year-old, shared her painful journey of struggling to receive a proper diagnosis for her condition, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). Initially dismissed as a “fussy eater,” Mollie’s condition worsened over time, but it was only after years of seeking help that she finally received the appropriate treatment. “I thought the only way to get help was to eat even less, lose more weight, and get sicker,” Mollie explained, reflecting on the dark place she found herself in before finding the support she needed.
For families, the lack of appropriate care and understanding is nothing short of agonizing. Richard Quigley, a Labour MP, spoke candidly about the “nightmare” of watching his own child battle an eating disorder. Describing the emotional toll it took on him and his family, Quigley said, “To watch someone who is bright and funny and clever just look lost and scared because there’s no treatment coming – you feel like you’re letting your child down.” He, along with other MPs, argues that much more investment is needed in eating disorder services. While NHS England has pledged additional funding to improve waiting times and allocate more resources to community mental health care, Quigley believes that these efforts are not enough and that further investment is critical to ensuring that more individuals receive timely and appropriate care.
The MPs also raise concerns about certain practices in clinics, particularly when it comes to discharging patients with severe eating disorders. Campaigner Hope Virgo expressed worry that patients with complex, long-term eating disorders are being viewed as “untreatable” and being sent home “to die.” While some experts contend that discharge might be necessary in certain cases if appropriate community care is available, many argue that the current system fails to provide enough support for these vulnerable individuals.
Claire Murdoch, the mental health director at NHS England, acknowledged that eating disorder services are under significant pressure but pointed out that more than 80% of children and young people who require urgent treatment are now receiving it within a week. She emphasized the importance of early intervention for those aged 16-25 and noted that NHS England is committed to continuing its work to improve services. However, many MPs and advocates believe that this is only the beginning and that much more needs to be done to address the scale of the crisis.
The MPs’ report calls for a comprehensive overhaul of how eating disorders are treated in the UK. They argue that more funding is needed, alongside better training for healthcare providers, to ensure that eating disorders are understood and treated with the seriousness they deserve. Eating disorders continue to represent a growing public health crisis in the UK, and without urgent intervention, more lives will be lost, and more families will continue to suffer. The time for change is now, and the MPs are pushing for the government to act quickly to address this growing issue. As the number of individuals affected by eating disorders rises, the need for a comprehensive, coordinated response has never been more urgent.
