"In Italy, according to estimates, over three million people suffer from eating and nutrition disorders and in recent years, particularly during the pandemic, there has been an increase in cases of around a third, a lowering of the age onset and an increase in the severity of the disorders".
This is the picture outlined by the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci, at the meeting "Nutrition and eating disorders - The point on treatment paths and new opportunities" organized by the Ministry of Health.
"As emerges from the data of the Focus on young people up to 25 years of age that we published today (three-year period 2019-2021), from the Emur System which monitors emergency room accesses, a significant increase in admissions for eating disorders emerges which goes from 3,023 in 2019 to 3,245 in 2021. In particular, accesses attributable to women went from 61.1% in 2019 to 72.7% in 2021. And there is a growing number of accesses in the 11-13 and 14-17 - continues the minister -. Still in the same Focus, the monitoring of hospital discharge forms indicates Anorexia nervosa as the diagnosis that has seen a real surge (from 48.3% in 2019 to 58.7% in 2021)" .
“This is - adds Schillaci - a real social and health emergency in which the relationship with food, weight and body image are the tip of the iceberg of a phenomenon whose causes derive from a multiplicity of social factors , psychological and biological.
Eating disorders can cause serious damage to physical health, cause psychological distress and compromise social relationships, especially in adolescence and pre-adolescence.
And it should make us reflect on the fact that there are warning signs even in children before the age of 8.
But they can strike at any age.
And then there is a widespread hidden situation, both because it can be difficult to identify the first symptoms and because those affected frequently tend to hide".
“Yet – he concludes – early identification and timely, adequate and personalized intervention are fundamental to effectively address these disorders.”
16 new performances in the Lea
“In this first year we started to provide answers on eating and nutrition disorders.
I am also thinking of the refinancing with 10 million euros of the Fund to combat Nutrition and Eating Disorders.
Resources, however, which I hope are truly spent.
I say this because from the interim report on the activities and expenses incurred and committed - relating to the funds for the years 2022 and 2023 - 59% of the financing was committed and only 3% spent.
By October 2024 we will receive the final report and the financial statement and the hope is that there will be an increase in the resources spent".
This was highlighted by the Minister of Health Orazio Schillaci, at the meeting 'Nutrition and eating disorders - The point on treatment paths and new opportunities' organized by the Ministry of Health.
“But it's not just a question of resources or buffer measures.
I would like to remind you that with the entry into force of the new tariff nomenclature - which is part of the tariff decree that we approved after six years - those suffering from anorexia and bulimia can access 16 new outpatient specialist services appropriate for monitoring the disease - continues Schillaci -.
Furthermore, as part of the Lea update proposal, essential levels of assistance, we introduce a further 16 new outpatient assistance services for the monitoring and prevention of complications and worsening of bulimia and anorexia".
“With the new tariff nomenclature and the further updating of the LEAs - he concludes - we will guarantee full financial coverage in a structural way for the provision of services to all affected patients suffering from eating disorders.
I believe this is an effective response to give."
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