The HSE says anorexia has the highest death rate of all mental health disorders.
121 children under the age of 16 were hospitalised with anorexia last year.
New figures, released under the Freedom of Information Act, show the condition affects far more girls than boys.
Eoghan Murphy reports:
A further 77 people aged between 16 and 24 had inpatient admissions due to the illness in 2020.
The HSE says anorexia has the highest death rate of all mental health disorders.
Dr Martin Daly, a former president of the Irish Medical Organisation, says it's a devastating illness
.