A significant increase in eating disorders has occurred during the pandemic, with adolescents and young adults being most affected.

The National Eating Disorders Helpline has reported an average of a 40 percent increase in calls, with up to a 70-80% increase at times.

Feelings of a lack of control, isolation, increased social media and decreased activity levels have all led to an increase in eating disorders, according to health experts.

Eating disorders have to do with how people think, feel about, and relate to food in their lives. Anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are eating disorders that are regarded as severe disturbances in eating. These disturbances include binge eating, fasting, and purging. People diagnosed with eating disorders have higher levels of mood and anxiety issues in comparison to those not struggling with these diagnoses.

* Anorexia: A condition characterized by weight loss and a distorted body image, in which the person has a fear of gaining weight. People with anorexia dramatically restrict the calories and types of foods they consume, may exercise compulsively and, in some cases, purge by vomiting or using laxatives.

* Bulimia: A cycle of binging on food (in large amounts) and compensating with such behaviors as self-induced vomiting. People having a bulimic episode feel unable to control the amount of food they are eating.

* Binge-eating disorder: This is similar to bulimia in that it involves episodes of uncontrolled eating, but it does not involve purging. Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder and the one that is least known about at this point.

There are several contributing factors to the uptick in eating disorders during the stressful times of COVID-19. The pandemic has been a very unpredictable time, with individuals feeling a loss of personal control. There has been an increase in isolation and a lack of typical structure during this time, which has led to more stress, anxiety and depression.

For those with eating disorders, exerting control over food may be a way to regain some predictability and self-efficacy.

There also have been triggers to eating disorders during the pandemic, such as experiencing weight gain due to decreased activity, or feeling the need to compensate for not being as active as usual with restricting eating or purging.

Additionally, the greater time spent on social media has been a factor, which can have a negative impact.

Many social media posts equate self-improvement with weight loss, promoting using the time to change one’s habits of eating and to get fit physically. More time spent on social media allows for increased time for one to compare and contrast one’s self with others, and feeling a need to meet certain standards, which may be unrealistic and unattainable.

Finally, due to job loss and other financial factors, food insecurity has increased during the pandemic, leaving some individuals uncertain when and how they will next obtain food. This uncertainty also has contributed to the increased incidence of eating disorders.

In regard to treatment options, there has been a decrease of availability during the pandemic. Important components in the treatment of eating disorders are monitoring intake, and monitoring activities post intake, to ensure digestion and processing of food.

Limited treatment options or treatment offered through telehealth limited the capacity for such monitoring. Someone participating in telehealth can choose what can be seen via the camera, possibly not giving the provider a true picture.

Eating disorders are treatable conditions. It is important to seek out assessment in order to determine what treatment options are appropriate and available.

If you or a loved one are struggling with symptoms of an eating disorder, you can call, text or chat at the National Eating Disorders Association helpline at 1-800-931-2237 or go to nationaleatingdisorders.org.

Natchaug Hospital offers mental health and addiction treatment for children, adolescents and adults through a network of community-based programs in Danielson, Dayville, Enfield, Groton, Mansfield, Norwich, Old Saybrook, Vernon and Willimantic. For more information, visit natchaug.org.

Carrie B. Vargas, Ph.D, is regional director of ambulatory services at Hartford Healthcare, which operates Backus and Natchaug hospitals, among others.