New research by InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders at the University of Sydney, reveals a widespread escalation of eating disorder symptoms during COVID-19 lockdown. 

InsideOut researchers tracked 1,723 people with eating disorder symptoms over the July – October 2020 COVID wave, including Victoria’s major lockdown - making it one of the largest observational studies to capture the impact of the pandemic in Australia. 

The study has just been published in the Journal of Eating Disorders. 

KEY POINTS: 

• One of the largest national observational studies to capture the impact of the pandemic; capturing the course of Australia’s second wave, including Victoria’s major lockdown. 
• Data shows widespread increases in all eating disorder symptoms, particularly body image concerns (88 percent of participants), food restriction (74 percent) and binge eating (66 percent). 
• Of participants with clinically significant eating disorders, 40 percent had never received formal diagnosis or treatment. 
• Study highlights need to identify and support those living with eating disorders