– It started in 2014, anorexia with bulimia. I knew what I was doing was dangerous, but the inner voice guided what I did. This is what “Ida” (26) says, who wishes to remain anonymous. It started with challenges related to type 2 diabetes. In order to “deal with it”, she decided to stop eating. – At worst, I ate half a tomato a day. Other days a couple of crackers, some days nothing. I didn’t plan for it to become an eating disorder. In the course of 7 weeks, “Ida” lost 44 kilos. How it went with her, you can read further down in the case. Having to treat billions with millions “Ida’s” story is not unique. According to the report by Menon Economics, around 88,000 people live with eating disorders in Norway today. It cost society NOK 26 billion in 2021. Report on eating disorders 1) There are approximately 88,000 people with eating disorders in Norway today. The estimate includes anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and unspecified eating disorders. 2) The total social costs related to eating disorders are estimated at NOK 26 billion in 2021. 3) Almost half of all people who suffer from eating disorders are under 30 years of age, while around three out of four are women. 4) Based on a study from 2000, around 30 per cent of all those with anorexia and 6 per cent of those with bulimia come into contact with the health care system in Norway. 5) It is estimated that 98 per cent of the resource use in the public health service for the treatment of eating disorders is in the specialist health service. This shows that there are few low-threshold or other treatment options for people with eating disorders at municipal level. (Source: Menon Economics) . “Based on solid national and international studies, the incidence of eating disorders in Norway is estimated to be 50,000 women in the age group 15-44 at any time will have an eating disorder (2001),” wrote FHI. In 20 years, the number has almost doubled. During the pandemic alone, an increase in eating disorders of 127 per cent in the age group 13 to 16 could be observed, according to FHI. Sharp increase in eating disorders in young girls during the pandemic Photo: Skjermdump, FHI – There is undoubtedly a shortage of money. The calculation should be simple, says Irene Kingswick, secretary general of Rådgivning om eating disorders (ROS). She believes that preventive work against eating disorders is far down on the priority list. ROS first entered the state budget in 2021, then with NOK 7 million. – We received over 4,000 inquiries on chat last year, from children as young as 8, and unfortunately very serious, says Irene Kingswick. Now she is hoping for more financial support. Photo: Lene Dossdal / ROS Got one third – What do you want? – Predictable funding for our six centers for eating disorders in Norway. Before the subsidy, ROS had several hundred waiting lists in Norway. 4,000 contacted them for advice last year. They employed 12 new full-time employees. Established a new center and expanded other premises. – We took it for granted that the government would then award us at least double that in 2022. They applied for NOK 20 million, but received NOK 7 million. Private foundations came to the rescue. – We are of course grateful for the support – but it is short-term! says Kingswick. Not much per municipality. She mentions that the government “states in its defense that it has paid out 100 million to the municipalities earmarked for children and young people’s mental health”. – These funds never reach us. 100 million distributed among 356 municipalities, it will not be very much per municipality, says Kingswick. In the report by Menon Economics, it is estimated that 98 per cent of the resource use in the public health service for the treatment of eating disorders is in the specialist health service. ROS is a low-threshold service and a user organization that offers free support, advice and guidance. They do not offer treatment services, but have an important role in filling a vacuum in the need for low-threshold services outside the specialist healthcare service. Together with the Eating Disorders Association, they are the only ones in the country working to prevent eating disorders. For 10 years, ROS received 1,800 inquiries about eating disorders. Last year they received 14,000. – Half of those who are in contact with ROS do not receive treatment from the public. My question is: Where is the priority for health volunteering? Kingswick asks. The latest studies carried out by senior researcher and psychology specialist Camilla Dahlgren at Oslo Nye Høyskole show, among other things, the following: 1 in 10 young people at upper secondary school meet the criteria for an eating disorder. For girls, the figure is as much as 16 percent. The incidence of anorexia is seven times higher now than just over 20 years ago. The article by Dahlgren is being evaluated by the peer-reviewed, internationally recognized journal International Journal of Eating Disorders, but has not yet been published. No quick fix Runi Børresen is one of the country’s leading experts on eating disorders. In the 1980s, she helped start and develop the preventive materials against eating disorders. – I get incredibly upset. Good measures have not been implemented that could contribute to fewer people developing problems. Preventive measures cost far less than what eating disorders cost society! Runi Børresen, one of the pioneers in Norway on eating disorders. Until 1 May this year, she was a senior lecturer at the University of Southeast Norway, before she retired. Photo: Henning Rønhovde / news She wishes the good work they started had continued. Efforts and measures over time. – There is no quick fix for this. We have had enough knowledge to be able to implement good measures, says Børresen. To strengthen the offer On behalf of Minister of Health Ingvild Kjerkol, State Secretary Karl Kristian Bekeng (Ap) says: – Funds are allocated for health and care services both from the Ministry of Health and Care’s budget and through the Ministry of Local Government and Districts’ allocations to the municipal sector. It is not possible to distinguish how much of the grant goes to individual patient groups. State Secretary Karl Kristian Bekeng (Ap). Photo: Esten Borgos / BORGOS FOTO AS He adds that approximately NOK 750 million was given to the non-profit and voluntary sector in the field of mental health and addiction in the state budget for this year. – This is not only limited to measures aimed at combating eating disorders. The Ministry of Health and Welfare’s plan to prevent eating disorders Our aim is that everyone who needs it should get help. Good prevention, early diagnosis and treatment for eating disorders is important. It is important to counteract body pressure and unrealistic body ideals which are often conveyed through social media, among other things. It is equally important to teach young people how to cope with body pressure and negative feelings about their own body, and not least what is normal and what variations are normal. It is also necessary to strengthen knowledge about who may be in the risk zone of developing eating disorders. In addition, knowledge of possible risk factors and signs of eating disorders in healthcare workers and others who meet children and young people is important. With increased knowledge, it is easier to prevent and get to it early, and reduce the risk of developing a serious illness. Eating disorders are one of several topics that we will include in the work with the upcoming escalation plan for mental health. It must include health promotion and preventive work, more accessible and close help and a strengthened offer for those with serious and complex challenges. We have also announced that we will strengthen the health centers and the school health service. This work will, among other things, be included as part of the escalation plan for mental health. (Answer from the Ministry of Health and Care by State Secretary Karl Kristian Bekeng) Goals and personal victories “Ida” realized her seriousness when she started throwing up cucumber and tomato. – In my head it was rubbish. I had to get rid of everything. If I gained three grams, I had to throw up to reach the ideal weight I had in mind. “Ida” was followed up by a doctor and DPS. But in the end she took hold of herself. – It was sport that got me back again. Exercise, have a goal. You have to work on yourself and have good people around you. I realized that I had to eat to keep my head with me. – Do you have a normal diet today? – Whether it is completely back to where it should be, I guess I can’t say. I try. There are many who never get out of that trap. Perhaps it is then demotivating for them to hear this. But my story had a happy ending, concludes “Ida”.
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– At my worst, I ate half a tomato a day – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
