Tom Quinn, director of external affairs at Beat, says eating disorders can affect anyone, ‘age, gender, or background’, but especially teenagers.
‘Around 1.25 million people are estimated to have eating disorders in the UK. Eating disorders are severe mental illnesses which can be triggered by a variety of factors such as genetic, psychological, environmental, social and biological influences.
‘Eating disorders do not just affect young women and studies show that up to 25% of those suffering with eating disorders are male.
‘We know that eating disorders can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background, but, as the NICE guidelines suggest, the risk is highest for young men and women between 13 and 17 years of age.
‘The fact that we are seeing parents and families spotting signs of an eating disorders early is positive. Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible and the sooner someone gets the treatment they need, the more likely they are to make a full and sustained recovery.
‘Any increase or decrease in the number of children and young people accessing any form of treatment is often reported as evidence that ‘eating disorders are on the rise’, when actually it could be due to greater awareness and help-seeking, improved identification and/or a change in the number of services and beds available.
‘However, no matter what their age or gender, every person concerned about their well being should have their concerns acknowledged respectfully, and be able to find necessary treatment without delay.