Kieran Gallagher
Posting #1
Topic: Health
Title: Eating Disorders Strike Younger and Younger
Author: Courtney Hutchison
Publication: ABC News
Date: 29 November 2010
Length:
Doctors have noticed that over recent years the number of cases of anorexia and bulimia in children under the age of 12 has skyrocketed. Many people have an image in their mind as to what kind of person should look like, and are shocked to discover eating disorder in someone that doesn’t fit this profile, such as a young child. This increase may be attributed to the fact that children are psychologically maturing at a much faster rate and have been taught to put more emphasis on their appearance at an earlier age. Some specialists also think that the push for educating the public about childhood obesity has backfired and helped to feed the increasing rate of eating disorders in younger children. Either way, pediatricians are being trained in the symptoms of childhood eating disorders, which differ from the symptoms of eating disorders in adolescents or adults. First of all, children may not actually lose any weight as they should be rapidly gaining weight at their age, but can still do extreme harm to their bodies. Also, a child may not be psychologically mature enough to articulate exactly what they are doing and why, which means that pediatricians need to watch for the symptoms: anxiety, perfectionism, obsession and (obviously) restricting food intake and binging. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests screening children for eating disorders during their regular checkups. Parents are also encouraged to prevent their children from developing an eating disorder by refraining from using food as a punishment or reward, not labeling certain foods as “good” or “bad” and eating a healthy, balanced diet themselves.
In conclusion, eating disorders cannot distinguish age, gender, race or class and all people are at risk for developing these issues. Eating disorders in children may even be considered more dangerous than eating disorders in adults, as children are still psychologically immature and it will be more difficult for them to overcome this behavior. American pediatricians and parents are making an effort to take the necessary measures to overcome this developing issue. Experts attempt to walk a fine line, as they do not want to overplay either the issue of obesity or eating disorders, as both present prevalent issues in our society. However, the issue is being examined thoroughly, and hopefully the strategies developed to decrease the number of eating disorders in children will be successful.
I think it's really sad that anyone, especially younger children, are becoming so prone to eating disorders. When you are that young your body and mind are not fully developed, which makes things even worse. Kids need to be eating a lot more than a grown adult to keep growing, so if they don't who knows how their health will be when they're older. I think that this country should put less emphasis on obesity, they should put the emphasis on being healthy overall. If we only teach them what a problem obesity is, they won't think that anorexia or bulemia is any worse.
ReplyDeleteI also think that media and their peers have a big effect this sudden increase of eating disorders. Junior high is when most kids are bullied the most, so these girls/boys probably think that the skinnier they are the more they will be liked. It also doesnt help when every actress they watch on TV is a size 0.
It seems to me like there are a lot more ads on Television motivating children to do these things. One of the biggest offenders is Abercromby. On top of that, more and more children have acess to commercial TV now.
ReplyDeleteI find it scary that there are children under the age of 12 who are anorexic or bulimic. I think the biggest thing to blame is the media because it sets an unrealistic goal of what the ideal body type should be, and kids feel like they have to fit that body type. If they don't, they will get made fun of.
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