Within Health, a digital health startup with a goal of helping people achieve long-term recovery from eating disorders, launched its fully virtual treatment platform today.

The company’s approach combines clinically-based treatment methods with a personalized digital platform so users can receive care in their own homes.

Each user is assigned a multidisciplinary care team that’s made up of a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist, a dietician and a care partner. The team works together to deliver individual and group therapy, meal planning, emotional support, movement recommendations and more.

Users also get access to the Within Health app, which tracks recovery progress, connects to remote-monitoring devices such as numberless scales or blood pressure cuffs, manages therapy schedules, and serves as a community hub for real-world support.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Nearly 30 million Americans will have some type of eating disorder during the course of their life, according to the Strategic Training Initiative for the Prevention of Eating Disorders.

Similar to other psychological conditions, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have had a negative effect on eating disorders, resulting in worsening symptoms for many. In fact, one study found that eating disorder hospital admissions more than doubled during the first 12 months of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the same time frame for the three previous years.

Within Health cofounder Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt says the need for this service has never been greater.

“We are launching Within Health so that everyone who suffers from an eating disorder, no matter who they are or where they live, can access treatment free from stigma and shame,” she said in a statement. “We have designed our treatment plan to be highly accessible, highly personalized to help our patients overcome their eating disorder, finding purpose and meaning, while embracing self-care as a foundation for health.”

THE LARGER TREND

Equip is another virtual eating disorder treatment program. It uses virtual family-based treatment (FBT) to help children, teens and young adults overcome eating disorders. Earlier this year, Equip scored $13 million in Series A funding.

In accordance with the increasing awareness of eating disorders, TikTok, Instagram and Pinterest teamed up with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) this year to boost body positivity and to surface eating-disorder support services on their platforms.

ON THE RECORD

“Within Health is revolutionizing eating disorder treatment. We are breaking down the barriers to access. We are leveraging innovation, technology and expertise, along with compassionate care to combat stigmas – and we are inclusive of everybody and everyBODY,” Abhilash Patel, cofounder of Within Health said in a statement.

“Having suffered an eating disorder myself, I know how lonely and painful it can feel. Having spent my career building and investing in impactful businesses, I know the measures of success. In our case, our success will be measured by the number of people we can help heal.”