Mass use of Instagram has increased by about 30% compared to pre-pandemic data on eating disorders among young people and adolescents, as explained by Clàudia Rossy. One of the reasons for this increase is the use of body reducing and imperfection correction filters, along with access to profiles that promote weight loss and sport. 

Rossy explained that, eating disorders in Spain currently have a prevalence rate between 4.1% and 4.5%.in the adolescent population between the ages of 12 and 21. Bulimia has a 0.8% rate and is the most diagnosed, followed by anorexia at 0.3%. However, unspecified behavioural disorder stands at 3.1% in the female population in this age group.

Apart from these disorders, the lecturer pointed out that, overall, the percentage of young people ages 15 to 24 with mental health problems doubled between 2020 and 2021, and that suicide has become the leading cause of death among young people in Europe. In Spain, 20.8% of adolescents suffer from some type of diagnosed mental problem, placing Spain as the European country with the highest prevalence among children and adolescents.

By sexes, anxiety and depression are more common in girls, while attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and behavioural disorders are more common among boys. In terms of age groups, Millennials (24-39 years) are the generation that most claims to have suffered loss in their income level as a result of the pandemic, the one most affected by unemployment, a fact that has been a major stressor. Generation Z (age 16-23), on the other hand, is the generation that has been most affected emotionally. 

The specialist regretted the fact that several factors make it hard for young people to ask for help, such as the saturation of the public mental health system. 

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