The number of young people admitted to hospital with eating disorders has risen by just over half over the past decade, according to figures released by the Liberal Democrats.
The figures show a rise of nearly 200 girls and boys admitted to hospital for treatment since 1996, to stand at 586 in 2005. Last year, 144 15-year-olds were hospitalised for eating disorders - the highest figure for any age group at any time in the past decade.
Tim Linehan, director of campaigns at The Children's Society, says: "When it comes to children we look at policy and practice but don't look at things such as the effects of marketing to identify what it is that causes the damaging behaviour."
Source: Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre.
