New approaches to treating eating disorders
The situation is alarming among adolescents aged 14 to 18, especially among girls – the incidence of eating disorders has doubled in the last 10 years. Social networks in particular have a negative impact on the perception of one's own body. Experts from the General Hospital are trying to reverse this trend and offer new treatment approaches. Current recommendations and scientific findings are also presented by the XV. International Interdisciplinary Conference on Eating Disorders and Obesity, held on 20-22 March 2025 at the Psychiatric Clinic of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, and the General Hospital and the Dean's Office of the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University.
The most widespread eating disorders, often with fatal consequences, include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, but also psychogenic overeating associated with obesity. "We have seen the biggest increase in these disorders during Covid, especially among young people who have found themselves in social isolation. The pandemic has also brought about changes in eating habits in families."," emphasizes Prof. MUDr. Hana Papežová, CSc., head of the Center for Eating Disorders of the Psychiatric Clinic of the 1st Faculty of Medicine of Charles University and General Hospital, chairwoman of the Section for Eating Disorders of the Psychiatric Society of the Czech Republic and the Czech Republic.
Social media toxicity plays a role
Genetics, anxiety, performance orientation, desire for attention, competitiveness, insecurity in finding one's own worth, dissatisfaction with one's own body, desire for unhealthy thinness, all of these are among the causes that can be behind an eating disorder. "The trigger for the disorder can be, for example, a traumatic experience, the occurrence of addictions in the family or some other adverse situation. Eating disorders can occur in families in several generations, we are talking about transgenerational transmission. Both genetics and the family eating pattern play a role here."," explains Prof. Hana Papežová, adding that the influence of social networks has joined the risk factors responsible for the occurrence of eating disorders. "We're literally talking about the toxicity of social media. They're often a source of misleading information from influencers about diets and healthy lifestyles."," says the expert.
The conference brings up-to-date recommendations and new insights
This year's conference theme Eating disorders in the world of new technologies responds to the increasing space that artificial intelligence and virtual reality are gaining in our lives. "We are trying to develop virtual reality programs, similar to those that already work for anxiety, phobic disorders, to reduce anxious, avoidant behavior related to food. We will present these programs at the conference," explains Prof. Hana Papežová.
