INSIGHT

Stop the eating disorder boom!

Today's children are growing up with constant advertisements for junk food, while at the same time being taught that fat is bad for them. Then they are told that if they measure up to a 'perfect' body ideal they will be happy.

No wonder youngsters are confused about food and eating disorders are on the increase. Sources estimate that there are up to 1.1 million people suffering with an eating disorder in the UK at any one time.

But due to the reluctance of sufferers to admit they have a problem, a much smaller number of people have actually been diagnosed and are in treatment.

A large percentage of these currently being treated are teenage girls, but increasingly boys are falling prey to eating disorders too. In my first year working with 12 and 13-year-olds, I carried out a questionnaire which highlighted an even more frightening trend: of the 100 or so girls questioned, over 80% had been on at least one diet by the age of 12, and more than 50% were unhappy with their current weight despite only 3% being actually clinically overweight.

In my experience, there is a significant lack of understanding among teachers, whose attitudes and response can have an enormous effect on whether or not a young person will seek help. The results of this research highlight the desperate need we have in our schools to educate our young people. However, it is becoming clear that it's not so much about telling people about the nature of disordered eating that is needed as informing them of the real dangers of dieting, and building up their self-esteem. It has been shown that direct education about eating disorders can lead to a fascination with anorexia and can actually result in an increase in disordered eating. By focusing on self-esteem and dieting issues this can be avoided.

The earlier you start to help someone with an eating disorder, the greater the chance of full recovery. As most sufferers begin to struggle in their teenage years, school would seem the most useful place to be offering support and education.

Through Anorexia and Bulimia Care (ABC), I have been working alongside staff in a private girls' school in Berkshire for two years. Although it already had a positive approach towards helping girls with eating problems, I have been encouraged by the increase in the teachers' understanding and their ability to handle difficult situations.

The way forward is to equip teachers and support staff to effectively help those with eating disorders. ABC is therefore looking to train and equip people to offer schools and youth groups a useful support network. Just completed is a comprehensive manual, Bitesize, of information and teaching resources focusing on dieting, eating disorders, self-esteem and stress and anger management which is aimed at anyone who works with young people. There is also a separate section for Christian groups to enable them to look at a biblical approach to our bodies and identities. It includes plenty of information on where and how to get the help you may need if you are working with someone with an eating disorder.

Many people ask whether there is a cure. The media often presents a rather depressing picture, and there are professionals who believe that you learn only to manage your eating disorder but never fully recover. In ABC we believe there is hope for full recovery, but we do recognise that it is a slow and often lengthy process.

As Christians we know that God can heal and completely restore, and he does for many sufferers. However, it does also need to be recognised that God wants us all to daily renew our minds and learn to walk in his ways. This takes time for someone who has suffered any kind of trauma and has deeply ingrained negative patterns. Time, love and patience are the keys to recovery.

DOES MY CHILD HAVE AN EATING DISORDER?

Signs to look for:

  • change in personality
  • withdrawal from friends
  • preoccupation with body size
  • extreme fear of weight gain
  • disappearance after meals, refusing to eat with the family or saying she has already eaten at a friend's
  • weight loss
  • loss of or irregular periods, low blood pressure, dizziness
  • deceit and denial
  • ritualistic food behaviour
  • perfectionism, timidity and fearfulness
  • a keenness to cook for the rest of the family but not eating the food herself
  • vomiting after meals, laxative abuse or the use of diuretics

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Please contact ABC if you would like to:

  • get involved in educating young people about eating disorders and giving them support
  • befriend someone who is still going through an eating disorder, and you have been through one yourself
  • purchase resources including Bitesize, £12 + £1.50 p&p - send your remittance to: ABC, PO Box 30, Ormskirk, Lancs L39 5JR. Tel: 01695 422479. E-mail: doreen.abc@virgin.net

Next update (28 September): Jewell Johnson describes the day she nearly gave up on her bulimic daughter

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