Eating Disorders · Texas behavioral health news
Most people with eating disorders don't receive specialist NHS referral - Medical Xpress
Eating Disorders (Google News) · August 5, 2026
In plain language
A large study found that approximately 75% of adults diagnosed with an eating disorder by their primary doctor were not referred to specialist care. Researchers discovered that a person's body weight significantly influenced whether they received a referral. While being underweight increased the chances of specialist help for those with anorexia, it actually reduced referral rates for those with bulimia and other eating disorders. This suggests that medical decisions are often based on a patient's size rather than their actual symptoms.
AI-generated summary of the source article. Not medical advice.
Key takeaways
- Three out of four adults with a diagnosed eating disorder were not referred to specialist treatment.
- Doctors refer women to specialist eating disorder services at nearly double the rate of men.
- Being underweight increases referral rates for anorexia but decreases them for bulimia and other conditions.
- Referral rates for eating disorders vary significantly based on which region a person lives in.
- Clinical decisions are often shaped by a person's body weight rather than their specific eating disorder symptoms.
Most people with eating disorders don't receive specialist NHS referral Medical Xpress
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