North Rhine-Westphalia reports rise in eating disorder treatments

Data from the North Rhine-Westphalia state government and health insurance providers indicate a significant rise in eating disorder treatments among girls and women. Between 2020 and 2024, inpatient treatments for these disorders increased by 31 percent, reaching approximately 2,200 cases.

Outpatient treatments also saw a notable increase, rising by 12.5 percent from 66,600 cases in 2020 to 74,900 in 2024. However, the trend varies by demographic; treatments for children under ten years old decreased slightly, and case numbers for men remain significantly lower than for women.

Analyses from KKH highlight a sharp rise in eating disorders among girls aged 12 to 17, with an increase of nearly 50 percent between 2019 and 2023. Experts have pointed to the influence of unrealistic beauty standards on social media platforms like TikTok, specifically citing trends such as the ‘Skinny Girl Mindset’ as factors affecting adolescent self-perception.