The Morrison Government on Tuesday has unveiled Australia’s first national strategy to improve early identification and treatment and help prevent eating disorders, as the country sees an alarming surge in the diseases as a result of the protracted lockdowns. The new Australian Eating Disorder Research and Translation Strategy, developed through a $4 million federal grant by the InsideOut Institute, will guide critical research and is expected to transform how the country treats eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia and binge eating during the next decade. Health Minister Greg Hunt said the strategy will improve the wellbeing of those with an eating disorder and “most importantly, will save lives.” “Tragically, eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any psychiatric illness, with anorexia being the deadliest of all mental health conditions,” Hunt said. “Strengthening eating disorder research and translation in Australia will ensure that we find and deliver the …