Increasing number of pre-teens suffer from eating disorders

By Staff Writer

Hospitalizations for eating disorders among children under the age of 12 increased by 119 percent between 1999 and 2006, a recent study reveals.

The rising trend was published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The report stated that more children have distorted body issues, which can lead to inappropriate dieting and unhealthy weight changes.

The study said that the media is often blamed for portraying men and women unrealistically, but parents have a larger impact on their child's self-esteem and eating behaviors. A medical official at a treatment center said that if a mother is anxious about eating or hates her own body, these behaviors can be passed on to her children.

She added that the impact that one woman has on her child is more powerful than anything that the media or pop culture can do to prevent eating disorders. Small children can develop their foundation of self worth and a body image by the time they reach five years old.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating, are most commonly developed during adolescence and early adulthood.