An Alarming Increase in Child Eating Disorders

Research on the topic of eating disorders in children by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has indicated that there is an increase in eating disorders in children of the ages twelve and under. This isn’t just a minor increase, between 1999 and 2006 the problem has jumped by 119% for those children that have been hospitalized due to an eating disorder.

While information is not available on post 2006 years, the problem seems to be getting worse. Self-image has catapulted the concept of being fat as a child into the aura of the shunned, non-popular and ugly amidst these children. The answer to helping these kids is to identify the problem at an early age and seek medical and psychological treatment. The eating disorder is the way these kids are crying out for help.

Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/22/health/child-eating-disorders/index.html?hpt=he_bn6
http://www.livescience.com/9011-eating-disorders-kids-rise.html

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.