The medical journal The Lancet has just reported evidence about the treatment of eating disorders that mainly affect young women. The researchers look at anorexia nervosa, bulimia and what are called atypical eating disorders. Although, as the good doctors point out, that category contains more than half the cases.
They demonstrate that the existing scheme for classifying eating disorders is "unsatisfactory and anomalous". There ought to be more research into the causes, development and treatment of the diseases. They do say that a specific form of cognitive behaviour therapy seems effective in treating bulimia, but point out that "few patients seem to receive it".
Finally they conclude, in a mind-bogglingly damning way: "The gulf between research evidence and service provision needs to be investigated and bridged; too few patients receive evidence-based treatment and too many receive sub-optimal or inappropriate therapy."
That can all be said in plainer language. Young women with eating disorders are given treatment that isn't based on anything much. So no-one has a clue if it will work.
All of which is worth remembering. Next time the fashion industry, magazine publishers or women are blamed for the prevalence of eating disorders, just think inequalities of health.
What's a village? This is not a trick question. It is just intriguing to see a local newspaper headline like 'Concern as teenage village scheme is refused'.
What were readers of the Exeter Express & Echo expected to think? That plans for an Ambridge for adolescents had just been turned down? That the militant branch of the Committee for the Protection of Rural Teenagers had wanted to ethnically cleanse all over-19-year-olds from a selected area?
The truth turned out to be more mundane. The 'teenage village' is a proposed shelter with seating in a playing field. It would have cost 10,000 and given young people somewhere to go. Exmouth has had one for ages. Honiton wanted one. But East Devon District Council says there is no cash available.
It makes you wonder if the bid would have been successful without the aggrandised title.
