The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorders risk and symptoms: a retrospective study

Background: Social distancing and quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic caused restrictions that negatively impacted eating behavior, especially among adolescents. We conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on eating disorder (ED) risk and symptoms. Methods: We analyzed 127 pediatric patients (117 females, 10 males) with EDs admitted to Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (Rome, Italy) between August 2019 and April 2021. Data were collected from electronic medical records. Results: 80.3% of patients were at ED onset and 26% had familiarity for psychotic disorders. Patients frequently had comorbidities and laboratory alterations including leukocytopenia, neutropenia, hypovitaminosis, and hormonal problems that may affect future health. Conclusions: These findings may provide a framework for clinical and educational interventions to mitigate short- and long-term negative impacts of the pandemic on adolescent health.

Elisabetta Straface, Isabella Tarissi De Jacobis, Alberto Villani, Maria Rosaria Marchili, Teresa Capriati, Italo Pretelli, Annalisa Grandin, Cristina Mascolo, Rosa Vona, Lucrezia Gambardella, Camilla Cittadini