According to recent data, England has recently seen a sharp rise in the number of girls under the age of 18 being admitted to hospitals with eating disorders. Hospital admissions where an eating disorder was the primary diagnosis rose from 562 in 2003-2004 to 825 in 2007-2008 (a 47 percent jump). In addition, a 25 percent increase in admissions for girls under the age of 9 was noted during the same time period.

Norman Lamb, a Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, commented on the trend: "This dramatic increase in hospital admissions is a tragic indictment of the government's failure to tackle the problems of eating disorders. ... Access to support services is dreadfully inadequate in many parts of the country. & Early intervention can make a massive difference in these cases and prevent a descent into crisis. & Children shouldn't be getting to the stage where they are so ill they need to be hospitalised before they get help."

(Source: www.nursingtimes.net)

Labels: eating disorder, girls, england

Posted By: Aspen Education Group