Referrals for eating disorder programs have tripled in Waterloo-Wellington since start of pandemic

Referrals for eating disorder programs in Waterloo region and Wellington County have tripled since the start of the pandemic, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association Waterloo Wellington (CMHA WW).

Kelly Forster, manager of the eating disorder program at the CMHA WW, said they currently have a year-long wait list.

Forster said the lack of a social life is a contributing factor to the rise in need.

"Those are really important outlets ... with a lot of those gone obviously [people] are left more vulnerable to things like eating disorders," she said. 

Forster said the sense of loss of control and living in the uncertainties of shutdowns, returning to school or back to work, are also contributing factors to eating disorders. 

In fact, Forster explained that some people may never have had an eating disorder arise were it not for the pandemic. 

The demand is not just in Waterloo region and Wellington County — it's overflowing all over the province, Forster said.

"A big part of what we do is try to match someone who might need more intensive treatment but then, those programs are in the exact same place as us," she said.

"So, there's just these massive waits sort of everywhere a person goes."

Eating disorders can affect anyone

There are different types of eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating. 

Forster said these eating disorders are seen in anyone "from six years old, right on through until seniors."

She also adds that adults can develop an eating disorder when they're older due to stressful life events such as divorce, death, or a pandemic. 

Listen to the full interview with Kelly Forster: