Latest News: 21-06-07
Eating Disorders Statistics: Children
Easting disorders statistics for children show that over the last ten years, the number of children hospitalised in UK NHS hospitals for eating disorders has risen by one third.
This is according to figures requested from Parliament by the Liberal Democrats and published on their website, by Sarah Teather, Liberal Democrat Shadow Education Secretary, who has a special interest in mental health issues. Additional eating disorders statistics include:
In 2006, NHS hospitals treated 58 children under 10 for eating disorders. This included 35 boys.
In the same year more girls aged below 18 years were treated in NHS hospitals for eating disorders than at any other time over the past decade.
Here are Sarah Teather’s comments (source: www.libdems.org.uk)
"Sadly these figures only represent the tip of the iceberg. Many more children are suffering in silence and trying to appear as if everything is fine.
"Teachers have a key role in recognising and supporting pupils that are struggling in school because they are coping with hidden mental health problems. This is especially true where the parents may be unaware of their child’s condition.
"As childhood becomes increasingly commercialised, young people are forced to grow up much quicker. It isn’t surprising that this manifests itself in larger numbers of young children with mental health problems, including eating disorders."