Why more children in UK are receiving treatment for eating disorders

Royal College of Psychiatrists’ analysis shows all regions in England are failing to meet the government target for when patients should be seen.

Diets can be the start of eating disorders (Alamy/PA)

There has been a 66 per cent rise in children and young people receiving urgent eating disorder treatment since 2019, a Royal College study has warned.

Analysis of data by the Royal College of Psychiatrists also found a rise in people seeking help, with large numbers of those being children and teenagers.

Its workings show that all regions in England are failing to meet the government target for when patients should be seen.