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 Eating disorders commonly | | | | withdrawn.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