McMaster docs see eating disorders in children and teens surge during pandemic
![Feature image](https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/natasha-johnson-2_jpg.jpg)
“We’ve been seeing unprecedented volumes of very, very sick young people presenting for assessment and treatment of eating disorders. And it’s been persistent for almost a year”, says, Dr. Natasha Johnson, Division Head of Adolescent Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics, and Medical Director of the eating disorder program at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
Eating disorder patients are showing up much sicker than before the pandemic.
“We’ve been seeing unprecedented volumes of very, very sick young people presenting for assessment and treatment of eating disorders. And it’s been persistent for almost a year”, says, Dr. Natasha Johnson, Division Head of Adolescent Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics, and Medical Director of the eating disorder program at McMaster Children’s Hospital.
Johnson spoke to CBC News about how the pandemic is exacerbating critical mental health issues in Canada resulting in a surge of children and teens requiring treatment for eating disorders. Patients are showing up in the emergency department much sicker than before the pandemic. Doctors are seeing young people with low heart rate, low blood pressure, and other organ dysfunction – the result of severe malnutrition.
Read the story: Children and teens are presenting in higher numbers, with more severe cases, than before, experts say | CBC Radio | February 23, 2021
Listen to Dr. Natasha Johnson on the podcast: White Coat Black Art: RJ’s Story – Eating disorders, Kids & Covid
Community & Culture, Dept. Peds, ResearchRelated News
News Listing
![This composite image shows researchers Hong Han and Sheila Singh.](https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/FHS24_CRC_Hong_Sheila_CC01.jpg)
Two Faculty of Health Sciences cancer researchers awarded Canada Research Chairs
Dept. Biochem, Dept. Surgery, Feature, Research
June 27, 2024
![Elena Verdu can be seen in this composite image. Verdu is smiling, wearing a green-coloured shirt and a necklace.](https://healthsci.mcmaster.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Elena-Verdu.jpg)
Elena Verdu appointed director of Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute
Faculty & Staff, Research
June 27, 2024