A June 23 article in the Ilford Recorder has warned parents to be on the lookout for symptoms of eating disorders among their children. The problem, the paper reported, is affecting children as young as eight, and is threatening to overwhelm the area's new effort to provide treatment for disordered eaters:

The Community Eating Disorder service at North East London Foundation Trust was officially established in March and bosses have told the Recorder of the high demand already being placed on the service.

Figures show the team, which is not yet fully staffed, had 50 referrals in that time -- 28 for anorexia, 13 for binge eating, eight for bulimia and one overweight person being assessed before having a gastric band fitted.

Ages range from 16 to 51.

Stuart Marks, who manages the Community Eating Disorder service, advised parents to be aware of any changes in their children's diets or attitudes toward eating -- even if those changes appear to be for the better.

"Normally a parent would be delighted to hear their child is developing an interest in healthy eating and taking part in more physical exercise," Mr. Marks told the Reporter."But coupled together with reducing food portions and perhaps skipping lunch, this could develop into an eating disorder."

Labels: eating disorders, prevention

Posted By: Aspen/CRC