Eating Disorders: What is causing the rising number of cases among children and teenagers?

A recent The Straits Times report revealed that many children in Singapore are suffering from eating disorders. According to a doctor at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), there is an increasing number of new cases related to eating disorders among patients aged 11 to 18 – from 50 to 70 cases in 2017 to 140 in 2023. These cases includes anorexia nervosa, an intense fear of gaining weight and bulimia nervosa. What is causing the rise in such cases among children and teenagers? How can we support and care for our young ones with eating disorders? Dr. Teng Jia Ying, a psychiatrist at Mt Elizabeth Novena Hospital shares her view. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.