Eating disorders (EDs) have the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition in the UK. It’s no surprise, therefore, that part of my role working as a specialist ED dietitian within a community MDT involves supporting and managing physical health emergencies. Despite the high risk, statistics also show that 46% of those with anorexia nervosa fully recover. So, while challenging, working in EDs can also be extremely rewarding.

1. Beat. Eating disorder statistics. Beat Eating Disorders. Accessed 21 May 2026. Available: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/media-centre/eating-disorder-statistics/

2. Royal College of Psychiatrists. Hospital admissions for eating disorders increased by 84% in the last five years. Published May 18, 2022. Accessed 21 May 2026. Available: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-features/latest-news/detail/2022/05/18/hospital-admissions-for-eating-disorders-increased-by-84-in-the-last-five-years

3. Royal College of Psychiatrists. Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders: Guidance on Recognition and Management (MEED). College report CR233. Published May 2022. Updated December 2025. Accessed 21 May 2026. Available: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/better-mh-policy/college-reports/college-report-cr233-medical-emergencies-in-eating-disorders-(meed)-guidance.pdf?sfvrsn=2d327483_67

4. Royal College of Psychiatrists. Eating Disorders: MEED Physical and Psychiatric Risk Assessment Tool. Royal College of Psychiatrists. Published 2022. Accessed 21 May 2026. Available: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/members/facilities/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-meed-physical-and-psychiatric-risk-assessment-tool.pdf?sfvrsn=ca1c28d1_6

5. Crow SJ, Swanson SA, Grange LE, Feig EH, Merikangas KR. Suicidal behaviour in adolescents and adults with bulimia nervosa. Compr Psychiatry. 2014. 55:1534-1539. doi:10.10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.05.021

6. Swenne I, Parling T, Salonen Ros H. Family-based intervention in adolescent restrictive eating disorders: early treatment response and low weight suppression is favourable with one-year outcome. BMC Psychiatry. 2017.17:333. doi:10.1186/ s12888-017-1486-9

7. Chang PGRY, Delgadillo J, Waller G. Early response to psychological treatment for eating disorders: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2021.86:102032.doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102032

8. Mehanna HM, Moledina J, Travis J. Refeeding syndrome: what it is, and how to prevent and treat it. BMJ. 2008. 336:1495-1498 doi:10.1136/bmj.a301

About the Author: Sarah Dukes, RD

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Eating disorders (EDs) have the highest mortality rate of any mental health condition in the UK. It’s no surprise, therefore, that part of my role working as a specialist ED dietitian within a community MDT involves supporting and managing physical health emergencies. Despite the high risk, statistics also show that 46% of those with anorexia nervosa fully recover. So, while challenging, working in EDs can also be extremely rewarding.

1. Beat. Eating disorder statistics. Beat Eating Disorders. Accessed 21 May 2026. Available: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/media-centre/eating-disorder-statistics/

2. Royal College of Psychiatrists. Hospital admissions for eating disorders increased by 84% in the last five years. Published May 18, 2022. Accessed 21 May 2026. Available: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/news-and-features/latest-news/detail/2022/05/18/hospital-admissions-for-eating-disorders-increased-by-84-in-the-last-five-years

3. Royal College of Psychiatrists. Medical Emergencies in Eating Disorders: Guidance on Recognition and Management (MEED). College report CR233. Published May 2022. Updated December 2025. Accessed 21 May 2026. Available: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/improving-care/better-mh-policy/college-reports/college-report-cr233-medical-emergencies-in-eating-disorders-(meed)-guidance.pdf?sfvrsn=2d327483_67

4. Royal College of Psychiatrists. Eating Disorders: MEED Physical and Psychiatric Risk Assessment Tool. Royal College of Psychiatrists. Published 2022. Accessed 21 May 2026. Available: https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/docs/default-source/members/facilities/eating-disorders/eating-disorders-meed-physical-and-psychiatric-risk-assessment-tool.pdf?sfvrsn=ca1c28d1_6

5. Crow SJ, Swanson SA, Grange LE, Feig EH, Merikangas KR. Suicidal behaviour in adolescents and adults with bulimia nervosa. Compr Psychiatry. 2014. 55:1534-1539. doi:10.10.1016/j.comppsych.2014.05.021

6. Swenne I, Parling T, Salonen Ros H. Family-based intervention in adolescent restrictive eating disorders: early treatment response and low weight suppression is favourable with one-year outcome. BMC Psychiatry. 2017.17:333. doi:10.1186/ s12888-017-1486-9

7. Chang PGRY, Delgadillo J, Waller G. Early response to psychological treatment for eating disorders: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2021.86:102032.doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2021.102032

8. Mehanna HM, Moledina J, Travis J. Refeeding syndrome: what it is, and how to prevent and treat it. BMJ. 2008. 336:1495-1498 doi:10.1136/bmj.a301

About the Author: Sarah Dukes, RD

Leave A Comment

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