The continuing impact of COVID-19 on eating disorder early intervention services in England: An investigation of referral numbers and presentation characteristics
Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic increased the incidence and burden of eating disorders (EDs) globally. First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for EDs (FREED) is a nationally implemented early intervention service model for young people (16–25 years) with EDs in England. This study evalua...
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Cambridge University Press
2025-01-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933825100382/type/journal_article |
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| author | Lucy Gallagher Lucy Hyam Karina Allen Ulrike Schmidt |
| author_facet | Lucy Gallagher Lucy Hyam Karina Allen Ulrike Schmidt |
| author_sort | Lucy Gallagher |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Abstract
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic increased the incidence and burden of eating disorders (EDs) globally. First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for EDs (FREED) is a nationally implemented early intervention service model for young people (16–25 years) with EDs in England. This study evaluates the longer-term impact of the pandemic on presentations and service provision in FREED.
Methods
Data from January 2019 to September 2024 were analyzed, including three services with pre-, pandemic, and post-pandemic data (Sample 1), and 62 services with post-pandemic data (Sample 2), 32 of which also contributed data during the pandemic. Linear mixed models examined referral numbers, duration of untreated ED, diagnostic mix, average body mass index for anorexia nervosa, and wait times.
Results
In the three services with pre-, pandemic, and post-pandemic data, referrals remained significantly higher post-pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Across all services, post-pandemic referrals declined compared to the pandemic period. Consistently, anorexia nervosa diagnoses decreased, and the duration of untreated ED at presentation increased post-pandemic.
Conclusions
The COVID-19 pandemic has had lasting impacts on ED service provision in England. Sustained investment and national support are essential to ensure FREED services continue to meet the needs of young people with recent-onset EDs and to reduce the duration of untreated ED.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4c930b3aa71a44ccbf90a01385f7e7ef |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj-art-4c930b3aa71a44ccbf90a01385f7e7ef2025-08-20T03:47:02ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852025-01-016810.1192/j.eurpsy.2025.10038The continuing impact of COVID-19 on eating disorder early intervention services in England: An investigation of referral numbers and presentation characteristicsLucy Gallagher0https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4821-2691Lucy Hyam1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1857-2106Karina Allen2https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2896-6459Ulrike Schmidt3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1335-1937Centre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, https://ror.org/0220mzb33 King’s College London, London, UKCentre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, https://ror.org/0220mzb33 King’s College London, London, UKCentre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, https://ror.org/0220mzb33 King’s College London, London, UK Eating Disorders Outpatient Service, https://ror.org/015803449 South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UKCentre for Research in Eating and Weight Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, https://ror.org/0220mzb33 King’s College London, London, UK Eating Disorders Outpatient Service, https://ror.org/015803449 South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic increased the incidence and burden of eating disorders (EDs) globally. First Episode Rapid Early Intervention for EDs (FREED) is a nationally implemented early intervention service model for young people (16–25 years) with EDs in England. This study evaluates the longer-term impact of the pandemic on presentations and service provision in FREED. Methods Data from January 2019 to September 2024 were analyzed, including three services with pre-, pandemic, and post-pandemic data (Sample 1), and 62 services with post-pandemic data (Sample 2), 32 of which also contributed data during the pandemic. Linear mixed models examined referral numbers, duration of untreated ED, diagnostic mix, average body mass index for anorexia nervosa, and wait times. Results In the three services with pre-, pandemic, and post-pandemic data, referrals remained significantly higher post-pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Across all services, post-pandemic referrals declined compared to the pandemic period. Consistently, anorexia nervosa diagnoses decreased, and the duration of untreated ED at presentation increased post-pandemic. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic has had lasting impacts on ED service provision in England. Sustained investment and national support are essential to ensure FREED services continue to meet the needs of young people with recent-onset EDs and to reduce the duration of untreated ED. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933825100382/type/journal_articleCOVID-19eating disorder servicesearly interventionfeeding and eating disordersnational health services |
| spellingShingle | Lucy Gallagher Lucy Hyam Karina Allen Ulrike Schmidt The continuing impact of COVID-19 on eating disorder early intervention services in England: An investigation of referral numbers and presentation characteristics European Psychiatry COVID-19 eating disorder services early intervention feeding and eating disorders national health services |
| title | The continuing impact of COVID-19 on eating disorder early intervention services in England: An investigation of referral numbers and presentation characteristics |
| title_full | The continuing impact of COVID-19 on eating disorder early intervention services in England: An investigation of referral numbers and presentation characteristics |
| title_fullStr | The continuing impact of COVID-19 on eating disorder early intervention services in England: An investigation of referral numbers and presentation characteristics |
| title_full_unstemmed | The continuing impact of COVID-19 on eating disorder early intervention services in England: An investigation of referral numbers and presentation characteristics |
| title_short | The continuing impact of COVID-19 on eating disorder early intervention services in England: An investigation of referral numbers and presentation characteristics |
| title_sort | continuing impact of covid 19 on eating disorder early intervention services in england an investigation of referral numbers and presentation characteristics |
| topic | COVID-19 eating disorder services early intervention feeding and eating disorders national health services |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933825100382/type/journal_article |
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