Many Young Canadians Need Help for Eating Disorders

By Newsroom | Health, Canada |

Over 1.4 Million Canadian Youth Affected by Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are serious but treatable mental illnesses. In Canada, over 1.4 million young people are affected by these conditions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a marked increase in young people seeking emergency care for eating disorder symptoms. Despite the clear health risks, a significant gap exists in accessing appropriate treatment, with only about 25 percent of young people receiving the help they need. This situation highlights a critical need for better data and more accessible, effective early intervention strategies.

Background and Growing Concern

The CHEO Research Institute, a leader in pediatric eating disorder research, has been actively involved in studying these conditions for over two decades. Dr. Nicole Obeid, from the CHEO Research Institute, has spearheaded efforts to gather crucial social and economic data related to youth eating disorders in Canada. This research, including a long-standing study called REAL, investigates various aspects of eating disorders, from risk factors to treatment outcomes.

Read More: Measles is Easy to Catch, But Shots Can Stop It

The COVID-19 pandemic presented a particular challenge, leading to an unprecedented surge in hospital admissions for young people experiencing eating disorder symptoms. This period underscored the vulnerability of this population and the strain on existing healthcare resources.

Evidence for Early Intervention

Research strongly suggests that early intervention (EI) is vital for improving outcomes in young people with eating disorders. Intervening early can help stop the worsening of symptoms and lead to better long-term recovery.

  • Timely Support: For adolescents with new or recently diagnosed restrictive eating disorders, receiving help quickly is paramount for a positive future.

  • Community-Based Models: The CARE Skills Group, developed by Dr. Mark Norris and his team, is one such early intervention model designed to support caregivers. This program, created during the pandemic to address stretched resources, aims to equip families with the skills to intervene earlier and more effectively.

  • Adaptable Programs: The CARE model has shown promise and is being adapted for wider use, indicating its potential to reach more communities and offer timely support. Future research will examine its impact on weight restoration and adolescent satisfaction.

Challenges in Accessing Care

Despite the clear benefits of early intervention, access to appropriate treatment remains a significant barrier. Only a quarter of young people with eating disorders receive the necessary care. This disparity suggests that current systems may not be adequately equipped to identify and support all those in need, particularly in community-based settings.

Barriers to Help-Seeking

Identifying the reasons young people and their families struggle to seek help is an important area of study. Understanding these barriers is key to developing more effective outreach and treatment strategies.

Read More: Regina Woman Loves Scooby-Doo So Much She Collects It and Has a Podcast

  • Resource Limitations: The pandemic highlighted how resource constraints can impact the availability of timely support.

  • System Gaps: The fact that a large majority of young people do not receive adequate treatment points to potential gaps in how services are delivered and accessed.

The Role of Caregivers

Programs that empower caregivers to play an active role in early intervention are showing promising results. By providing families with the necessary skills and knowledge, these initiatives can help bridge the gap until professional treatment is available or to supplement it.

  • Skills Development: The CARE Skills Group focuses on building caregiver competency in identifying and responding to early signs of eating disorders.

  • Scalability: The adaptation and expansion of such programs suggest a growing recognition of their value and potential for broader impact.

Research Efforts at CHEO

The Eating Disorder Research Lab at the CHEO Research Institute is a leading international group in pediatric eating disorders. Their work encompasses a broad spectrum of research:

Read More: New Idea for Autism Diagnosis Worries Families

  • Clinical Studies: Examining treatment effectiveness.

  • Psychopharmacology: Investigating medication's role.

  • Treatment Research: Developing and refining therapeutic approaches.

  • Patient Priority Studies: Focusing on the experiences and needs of those affected.

  • Risk Factor Research: Identifying causes and contributing factors.

Their ongoing 15-year follow-up study to the REAL study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the long-term trajectory of eating disorders in adolescents.

Expert Insights

Dr. Nicole Obeid, a researcher at the CHEO Research Institute, emphasizes the profound importance of early intervention. Her work generating the first social and economic data on youth eating disorders in Canada provides a crucial foundation for understanding the scope of the problem and advocating for better support systems. The surge in hospitalizations during the pandemic, as noted in CIHR reporting, serves as a stark indicator of the escalating need.

Read More: Scott Moir Talked About Tessa Virtue a Lot on His Wedding Day

Research findings, such as those highlighted in rapid reviews published in journals like International Journal of Eating Disorders and explored on platforms like PubMed, consistently underscore the efficacy of program-led and focused interventions for early support in community settings.

Conclusion and Future Directions

The data indicates a substantial need for improved early intervention services for youth with eating disorders in Canada. While significant research is underway, particularly at the CHEO Research Institute, ensuring that over 75 percent of affected youth receive appropriate treatment remains a critical objective.

Key takeaways:

  • Prevalence: Eating disorders affect over 1.4 million Canadian youth.

  • Treatment Gap: Only 25 percent receive appropriate care.

  • Pandemic Impact: A notable increase in eating disorder presentations during COVID-19.

  • Early Intervention: Crucial for positive long-term outcomes.

  • Caregiver Role: Programs empowering families are showing promise.

Moving forward, efforts should focus on:

Read More: Powerlifter's Secret Steroid Use Hurts Family

  • Expanding the reach and accessibility of proven early intervention programs.

  • Addressing the barriers that prevent youth from seeking and receiving timely care.

  • Continuing to generate robust data to inform policy and practice.

  • Further exploring the adaptability and scalability of models like the CARE Skills Group.

The growing body of research and the development of innovative intervention models offer hope, but sustained investment and collaborative action are required to transform the landscape of care for young people facing eating disorders.

Sources Used:

  • CIHR - More than 1.4 million Canadian youth have an eating disorder—but better data and early interventions are fighting back

  • Published: September 8, 2025

  • Context: Provides overall statistics on eating disorders in Canadian youth and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the treatment gap. Highlights Dr. Nicole Obeid's research.

  • Link: https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/54456.html

  • CHEO Research Institute - Eating Disorders

  • Published: October 5, 2024

  • Context: Describes the research conducted by the Eating Disorder Research Lab at CHEO, including its focus and the expertise of its researchers. Mentions ongoing studies.

  • Link: https://www.cheoresearch.ca/research/areas/eating-disorders/

  • PubMed - Identifying Programme-Led and Focused Interventions for Early Intervention for Eating Disorders in Youth: A Rapid Review

  • Context: Discusses the importance of early intervention (EI) for eating disorders (EDs) and aims to explore evidence for EI service delivery models in community settings. Keywords highlight evidence-based approaches.

  • Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40458984/

  • Tandfonline - Early intervention for caregivers of youth with restrictive eating disorders (CARE Skills Group): feasibility, outcomes and opportunities for spread and scale

  • Published: October 5, 2025

  • Context: Details the CARE Skills Group, an intervention for caregivers, and its feasibility, outcomes, and potential for wider implementation.

  • Link: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10640266.2025.2565470

  • CEPiP.org - Early intervention for eating disorders

  • Context: Provides a brief overview of early intervention in eating disorders, referencing related topics like self-help and cognitive behavior therapy.

  • Link: https://www.cepip.org/article/early-intervention-eating-disorders

  • CHEO Research Institute - New skills program helping caregivers intervene early in adolescent eating disorders shows promise

  • Published: November 11, 2025

  • Context: Reports on the promise of the CARE model as an early intervention for adolescents with restrictive eating disorders, its adaptation for wider use, and its development during the pandemic. Features comments from Dr. Mark Norris.

  • Link: https://www.cheoresearch.ca/about-us/media/news/new-skills-program-helping-caregivers-intervene-early-in-adolescent-eating-disorders-shows-promise/

Read More: Canadian Athletes Use Social Media to Connect with Fans

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many young people in Canada have eating disorders?
Over 1.4 million young people in Canada have eating disorders. This is a large number of young people needing support.
Q: Do young people with eating disorders get the help they need?
Sadly, most do not. Only about 25 percent of young people get the right treatment. This means many are not getting the help that can help them get better.
Q: What is early intervention?
Early intervention means helping someone as soon as they show signs of a problem. For eating disorders, helping early can stop the problem from getting worse and lead to better healing.
Q: How are families being helped?
New programs are teaching parents and caregivers skills to help them spot early signs and support their children. These programs aim to help families help their loved ones sooner.
Q: What is being done to help more young people?
Researchers are working to find better ways to help. They are also trying to make help easier to get in communities. The goal is to help the 75 percent who are not getting care.