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Why have there been more cases of anorexia and bulimia during the pandemic?

Sara Bujalance Arguijo
Sara Bujalance Arguijo
Psychologist specialised in ED. Director
Associació contra l'Anorèxia i la Bulímia (ACAB)

The increase in cases of anorexia and bulimia during the pandemic has been influenced by several factors, such as changes in daily routines related to eating, exercise, and sleep schedules. Added to this is the social isolation that the pandemic has imposed on young people, who have been attending classes online, without extracurricular activities, and without physical contact with their friends. Physical contact was replaced by increased use of social media, an environment where certain behaviors that contribute to eating disorders may be promoted.

One of the underlying factors in anorexia and bulimia is body dissatisfaction, to which messages on social media have contributed. It's worth remembering that the pandemic led to a surge in interest and general concern about physical fitness, fueled by social media.

All of these factors protect against this and other mental health problems, and they have been disrupted by the pandemic. This situation has led to an increase in risky behaviors.

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Jordi Mitjà
Jordi Mitjà Costa
Nurse at the Integrated Functional Eating Disorders Unit. Mental Health Department
Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona
Sara Bujalance Arguijo
Sara Bujalance Arguijo
Psychologist specialised in ED. Director
Associació contra l'Anorèxia i la Bulímia (ACAB)