Need for eating disorder support groups increases during pandemic The Eating Disorder Foundation saw a 1,030% increase in new monthly support group members since the beginning of the pandemic. Author: Victoria De Leon Updated: 6:55 PM MDT July 18, 2021 DENVER — The Eating Disorder Foundation in Denver grew to serve people across the country who are either struggling with an eating disorder or know someone who is. According to their executive director, Dani Gilady, the foundation serves people from all 50 states and more than 25 countries. >Video above: A 9NEWS story about health experts seeing an increase in eating disorders among children. Kelly Andrews, a volunteer facilitator with the organization, said she noticed an influx of people participating in their virtual and in-person support groups over the last year. "I think the pandemic has created so much isolation for everyone, but for people with mental illness, particularly eating disorders, when the community is so important, that really feels like a loss," she said.