Mapping eating disorders in adolescents and young adults: an investigation of geographic distribution and access to care in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

There is limited research on the spatial distribution of eating disorders and the proximity to available eating disorder services. Therefore, this study investigates the distribution of eating disorders among adolescents and young adults in Ontario, Canada, with a specific focus on geographic disparities and access to publicly-funded specialized eating disorder services. A community sample of 1,377 adolescents and young adults ages 16–30 across Ontario between November and December 2021 participated in this study and completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Utilizing Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, we mapped the geographic prevalence of eating disorders and examined proximity to specialized eating disorder services. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were utilized to determine the association between geographic region and eating disorder symptomatology. Additionally, t-tests were utilized to examine differences between time/distance to specialized services and clinical risk for eating disorders. Applying geospatial analysis techniques, we detected significant spatial clusters denoting higher eating disorder scores in rural areas and areas with fewer specialized services. Likewise, our findings report disparities between rural and urban areas, suggesting that rural regions exhibit elevated rates of eating disorders. There were no associations between distance/time to services and eating disorder symptomology. The discrepancies in eating disorder symptomology between urban/rural may stem from stigma and unique socio-cultural contexts in rural communities. The study underscores the need for targeted intervention, including telehealth, in addressing the eating disorder challenges faced by adolescents and young adults in rural regions. This study explores how common eating disorders are among adolescents and young adults in Ontario, Canada, with a specific focus on the geographic disparities of eating disorders. This study uses mapping technology to assess where eating disorders were more common and how close these areas were to specialized eating disorder treatment services. The findings showed that places with fewer services, especially rural areas, had higher rates of eating disorders. However, there wasn’t a clear link between how far people lived from these services and the severity of their eating disorders. This may suggest that those in rural areas might struggle more with eating disorders due to greater stigma and different social and cultural factors compared to urban areas. This study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions, like telehealth, to address these disparities. This research is pivotal in guiding equitable healthcare solutions for eating disorders, particularly in underserved rural communities.