Three-quarters of patients with eating disorders face critical delays in receiving specialist treatment because general practitioners (GPs) fail to make referrals, according to a significant study. The research, published in the medical journal The Lancet, indicates that patients who maintain a healthy weight are four times more likely to be dismissed by a doctor compared to those who are underweight.

Researchers analyzed a decade of health records for 35,000 UK patients aged 18 to 80. The findings suggest that medical professionals may be struggling to recognize eating disorders beyond anorexia. Conditions such as binge eating disorder, bulimia, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) are more common than anorexia, yet the study found that only six percent of individuals with eating disorders have an unhealthily low Body Mass Index (BMI).

The study also identified other groups more likely to be overlooked: men, patients over 30, and those residing in the North East of England. Current guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) state that patients should be immediately referred to appropriate services if an eating disorder is suspected. The authors of the study raised concerns about the inconsistent identification and management of eating disorders other than anorexia by GPs.

"There's need for better GP education and improved screening tools across all diagnoses," the researchers stated. "Especially because eating disorders can be equally serious regardless of a person's weight."

In the UK, approximately 1.25 million people suffer from eating disorders, with ARFID being the most common type, followed by binge eating disorder. NICE data indicates that around half of individuals with anorexia, and roughly a third with bulimia and binge eating disorder, may not achieve full recovery. Recent NHS data shows a five-fold increase in the prevalence of eating disorders among 11 to 16-year-olds between 2017 and 2023. Experts attribute this rise to factors including increased social media use, academic pressure, and the lingering effects of lockdowns.

For those seeking support, the eating disorder charity Beat can be contacted at 0808 801 0677. Support lines are open Monday to Friday, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Further resources are available on their website.