Hopes lessons can be learnt from a spike in eating disorders that happened during the pandemic

Hospitalisations for eating disorders jumped 50 percent during the Covid-19 lockdowns.

Academic Psychiatrist David Menkes says girls aged 10 to 19 and Maori are especially susceptible.

He says alongside cultural competency there needs to be more preparation in anticipation of another pandemic.

Menkes says we need to be ready for an increased strain on our eating disorders services, if another one happens.