Eating disorders cause more Canadian girls to be hospitalized

Hospitalizations for eating disorders increased dramatically among preteen and teenage girls in Canada between 2006 and 2013, according to a new report.

The Canadian Institute for Health Information examined use of hospital services for eating disorders.

"From 2006–2007 to 2012–2013, the rate of females hospitalized in Canada for an eating disorder was stable — except among 10- to 19-year-olds," the institute said Thursday.

In that group, the rate increased by 42 per cent in just the last two years, with older teens experiencing an even sharper increase.

Last year, there were 1,585 hospitalizations for an eating disorder among females. Girls aged 10 to 19 accounted for more than half of those.

Among males of all ages, there were 103 hospitalizations in 2012-2013.

About 28 per cent of visits to emergency departments for eating disorders included admission to hospital for inpatient care.

The institute said three of the most common mental illnesses diagnosed among women with eating disorders who came to the emergency department were depression, anxiety disorders, and reaction to severe stress and adjustment disorders.