There is an urgent need for services to recognise and treat eating disorders in young children, say experts. So I call for a new ethical editorial code with the promotion of diverse body shapes within the media, an increased understanding of eating disorders and knowledge of treatments from our GPs and more support services aimed at younger children. 1.6 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. It is effecting our children and we must act now!!
According to BBC News. “The study of UK and Irish data suggests three in every 100,000 children under the age of 13 have an eating disorder, including children as young as six.” http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-12920551 Shockingly there has been an 80% rise in the number of young girls admitted to hospital with anorexia in England over the last decade. Who do we blame? Parents?Media?GPs?
It has been suggested in another News Report that GPs are failing on treating and supporting those with eating disorders “Based on a survey of 1,500 people with eating disorders, the report found many thought their GP lacked knowledge about treatments, or how to access them.” http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7905223.stm If our own doctors don’t understand or support our children who are suffering with eating disorders where can our children turn to?
Psychiatrists at the Royal College of Psychiatry blame Media for our children’s eating disorders. Their view is that the media promotes unhealthy body images and glamourising eating disorders. Dr Adrienne Key from the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Eating Disorders Section said "Although biological and genetic factors play an important role in the development of these disorders, psychological and social factors are also significant…..That's why we are calling on the media to take greater responsibility for the messages it sends out." Magazines, Celebrities , TV programmes, Adverts, all include underweight models, often airbrushed, making children feel insecure about themselves and gives them low selfesteems. Can we blame the models? The Celebrities? Or are they themselves under the same sad pressure of getting to the size zero ‘media portrayed perfection’?
So I’ve discussed the problem, pointed my fingers at those to blame but lets look for help.
The main support groups I found for eating disorders, were aimed at adolescents and not young children. Dr Dasha Nicholls, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist at Great Ormond Street Hospital, said there were huge developmental differences between children and adolescents and adults. "Our study shows there is an urgent need to consider the needs of children with eating disorders separately and not simply lower the age range of existing adolescent services." So we must take note from the expert, I’m in agreement. Where puberty can be the cause of low self esteem and eating disorders it is important to understand that we are talking about younger children with the same disorder. Simply lowering the age groups within these support services just wouldn’t be enough. We need to find services which specifically aim their help at younger children, after all we are talking about children as young as six!
Which brings me to the fabulous charity Beat. B-eat. (beating eating disorders) Beat’s vision is that eating disorders will be beaten. They aim to ; change the way everyone thinks and talks about eating disorders, improve the way services and treatment are provided and to help anyone believe that their eating disorder can be beaten Beat is great, they focus on challenging the stereotypes and stigma that people with eating disorders face. They are constantly campaigning for better services and treatment. They also provide information, support and encourage children to seek treatment and recovery. “Beat is the leading eating disorders charity in the UK and last year had direct contact with 250,000 people. In its 21st year the organisation campaigns to raise awareness, influence decision takers and offers information and support to those affected.” http://www.b-eat.co.uk/
Lets not forget that parents, carers, schools all have a responsibility to keep our children safe and healthy . There may not be many eating disorder organisations to help our children currently but there are other organisations that offer services to help boost children’s self esteem. That are confidence builders, that teach that we are all unique and that we all have different strengths and weaknesses. That we should love ourselves for the strengths we do have and not punish ourselves for what others may perceive as weaknesses.
The Magic Sunglasses Project for example is an organization that gives children the tools to develop real practical self confidence. Provides the path and strategy for children to fulfil their potential. It also helps children discover they have the power to make choices in their lives. The over all message being that we all have true special and unique qualities. It teaches children to value themselves, have respect for others. It empowers children to be themselves , to develop confidently with a healthy self esteem. It supplys children with the skills to live happy successful lives and to live without the pressure of conforming to the issues that create eating disorders in the first instance! : )
Written by Kaley Herrick ,researcher of child development related to the creative arts.
