| Researchers at the British Paediatric Surveillance | | | | young adults but until now it has been unclear |
| Unit estimated that 3.5 children in every 100,000 in | | | | how many young children are diagnosed and |
| the UK are treated for an eating disorder, including | | | | treated. |
| anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. | | | | Puberty and body image are often to blame in |
| Over a 13 month evaluation, 206 children under 12 | | | | these cases among the younger population. Not |
| years were treated for an eating disorder in | | | | to mention the effect of skinny models and |
| Britain and Ireland. At the extreme end of the | | | | celebs. Even genetics plays a strong influence. But |
| spectrum, one six-year-old girl was diagnosed with | | | | parents can detect these changes - the experts |
| food avoidance, excessive exercising and fear of | | | | suggest that children with eating disorders |
| weight gain. Around 18% of cases identified were | | | | commonly start by cutting out favourite foods |
| seen in boys. | | | | such as sweets and crisps and other signs include |
| Eating disorders commonly affect adolescents and | | | | becoming withdrawn. |