The health impacts of eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating, are not only complex, affecting many different organ systems, but long-lasting, finds a large tracking study, published in the open access journal BMJ Medicine.
The risks of serious conditions, such as diabetes, renal and liver failure, fractures, and premature death, are particularly high within the first 12 months of diagnosis. But these heightened risks persist for years, highlighting the need for timely integrated multidisciplinary health services and continued monitoring to improve outcomes, conclude the researchers.
UK rates of eating disorders have risen significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, note the researchers. But while the detrimental mental and physical consequences are well known, the long-term effects are less well understood, they add.