New CMU study looks at eating disorders among rural teens | Health [Video]

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (WJRT) – Over 28 million Americans will have an eating disorder in their lifetime according to the National Eating Disorder Association.

That number has been on the rise in children and teens since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Samantha Hahn, assistant professor in the CMU College of Medicine, said the topic of how and why eating disorders affect young people in rural populations hasn’t been studied much — only twice in the past 30 years.

Hahn said the current research shows there is in fact an increase in eating disorders among teens in rural areas.

Her current study was funded by a grant from CMU’s Office of Research and Graduate Studies and aims to secure funding for a more in-depth investigation.

The focus of Hahn’s research is addressing equity issues in eating disorders to learn how to prevent …