According to data from the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), four out of 10 girls in grades 1 through 3 want to be thinner. In addition, more than two out of three girls would prefer to be seen as "mean" or "stupid" than overweight. In recent years, eating disorder treatment experts have noticed an increase in unhealthy and disordered eating in elementary school-age kids. According to Cheryl Dellasega, Ph.D., a professor in the College of Medicine at Pennsylvania State University, she and her colleagues are now seeing very young children with eating disorders. She states, "Our Eating Disorder Unit is treating very young kids-9 years and perhaps even younger."

(Source: health.msn.com)

Labels: eating disorder, girls

Posted By: Aspen Education Group