Eating disorder recovery requires attention to the social lives of those affected

Approximately 70 million people worldwide have received  an ED diagnosis, with the incidence rate continuing to rise.1 There has been a surge in the prevalence of eating concerns,  said to be exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.2  The  rate of hospital admissions, symptom severity, and assessments for EDs also significantly increased since the onset of  COVID-19.2  Sociocultural standards concerning dieting and  the thin ideal are common in many Western societies; with  weight biases, including fat shaming, remaining widespread.3 For the person with an ED, navigating daily life brings about  many challenges. Recovery without the right support is very  difficult.4  Those affected often present and re-present to GPs  with chronic problems and need substantial GP time and resources. A GP armed with the appropriate knowledge and  tools can play a pivotal role in supporting the management  of EDs