Hospitalizations for Standard Eating Disorders Decline
Experts have been alarmed by the number of hospitalizations for young children admitted for symptoms of eating disorders. A new report, however, indicates that overall hospitalizations may be on the decline. As discussed at HealthNewsDigest.com, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality announced that there has been a decline in hospitalizations in 2007 and 2009 when compared with data from 1999 to 2007.
The decrease is significant, with hospitalizations 23 percent lower for eating disorders. In addition, the agency reported a decrease in serious problems associated with eating disorders, such as irregular heartbeat and menstrual disorders, showing a decline of 39 percent in 2007 and 46 percent in 2009.
However, the report indicated that one type of eating disorder, pica, saw an increase in the same time period. From 1999 to 2009, hospitalizations for pica increased 93 percent. Pica is a disorder characterized by the ingesting of non-food items, such as clay, dirt or feces. Those most often afflicted with pica are women and children, and it sometimes affects individuals with autism.
Overall, from 1999 to 2009, there was an increase observed of approximately 25 percent in hospitalizations for eating disorders. However, the recent report indicates that there may have been a decline since 2007. Though nine out of 10 eating disorders were diagnosed in women, the number of men diagnosed with eating disorders rose by 53 percent.
