A report commissioned by the charity B-EAT in February 2015 states that Eating Disorders now affect an estimated 725,000 people, which is 5% of the adult population.

The figures released on Thursday 30/1/14 from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, showed that the biggest rise in people being admitted to hospital for Eating Disorders over the last year, was young people between the ages of 10 to 19. There has been an increase of 8% compared with last year, bringing the total admissions to 2560. Of this number, 1200 hospital admissions were children aged 16 and under. Included in this 1200, were 595 admissions for children aged between 10 and 14. This is an increase of 14%.

These figures are extremely worrying and are only the tip of the iceberg. As they only represent those young people treated as inpatients, for Eating Disorders. The majority of individuals are treated in private centres or as outpatients within their local community. There were 9 times as many females admitted for treatment as males, last year. With 3 in every 4 cases being treated for Anorexia and the remaining cases receiving treatment for Bulimia and other Eating Disorders.

B-EAT has indicated that one of the reasons for this increase, is the pressure that social media plays in the lives of the young. From wanting and needing to look attractive as portrayed in the fashion and music industry and the expectation that we need to look slim to be socially accepted. This begs the question that if we are not slim or looking attractive, will we not have friends or be invited to social occasions? On what scale are we all measured? We could use BMI as a measure of our weight but who or what decides whether we are attractive? Throughout our teenage years, are we measured upon our appeal to the opposite sex? Is this the foundation upon which our near future social lives are decided? The criteria to receive a social invitation, appears to have shifted from personality and friendship, with the emphasis now on appearance.

A recent BBC interview with a young girl just home from hospital, recovering from anorexia, agreed that whilst social media has a part to play, it was not alone as a major cause but went alongside the stresses of life. A recent study also indicated that Eating Disorders maybe genetically linked. If you are journeying into teenage years with a requirement that to be socially accepted you must be slim and attractive and live in a household where members of your family are regularly dieting as they are concerned with weight and shape. It is inevitable, that thoughts about weight, shape and appearance will be of major importance to you and will affect your behaviours. I believe that the increase in Eating Disorders cannot be attributed to one cause alone, but is a symptom of many physical and emotional stresses and traumas that individuals may experience during their journey from childhood to adulthood. Unable to express our emotions or feelings, they may become hidden or buried, and we can
disguise them and manage them through our eating. We develop eating habits as a way of seemingly controlling our lives and these habits become extremely useful in helping us to function on a daily basis. Sadly and destructively, these eating habits can become the controlling influence. Whilst social media in some aspects can be seen to fuel these habits, it can in many ways be a comfort and a support lifeline for some who seek reassurance that they are not alone in having to deal with their controlling thoughts and behaviours.

If you are preoccupied with food and/or you are focusing excessively on your weight and body shape, you may be suffering from an Eating Disorder.

The Care and Support minister Norman Lamb was quoted as saying that Eating Disorders are now being taken very seriously and that it is vital that young people receive help and support quickly, and that it will be given as much importance as other mental health issues. Whilst I am appreciative of the £54million investment, I am concerned that the monetary affects will take some considerable time to filter through to those who need the help now.

If you have any concerns regarding an Eating Disorder whether it be yourself, a friend or member of the family that you feel may need help. Please do not hesitate to contact us here at Chrysalis.