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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Child and Adolescent Healthcare Utilization for Eating Disorders During the
Sheri Madigan1, Tracy Vaillancourt2, Gina Dimitropoulos1
1University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada; and Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
Summary
Healthcare use for pediatric eating disorders significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially for girls and adolescents. This trend highlights the need for ongoing monitoring of youth mental health services.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Medicine
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with significant changes in pediatric mental health.
- Eating disorders in children and adolescents are a growing concern, with potential exacerbation during the pandemic.
Approach:
- A comprehensive meta-analysis was conducted, synthesizing data from 52 studies across 15 countries.
- Healthcare service utilization for pediatric eating disorders before and during the pandemic was systematically documented.
- Data were analyzed using random-effects meta-analyses following PRISMA guidelines.
Key Points:
- A substantial increase in healthcare utilization for pediatric eating disorders was observed during the pandemic (rate ratio = 1.54).
- Girls and adolescents (aged 12-19) showed larger increases in healthcare use compared to boys and younger children.
- Significant increases were noted across emergency department, inpatient, and outpatient services, with anorexia nervosa rates also rising.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric eating disorder healthcare utilization rose significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly affecting girls and adolescents.
- Continued monitoring is crucial to determine if these elevated healthcare demands persist beyond the pandemic.
- Findings underscore the impact of the pandemic on pediatric mental health and the need for sustained support services.
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