Figures released in 2007 by the Royal College of Paediatrics and ChildHealth indicate that during the previous 13 months, 206 children under12 were treated for an eating disorder in Britain and Ireland -including one six-year-old girl. Half of the children had to be admittedto hospital and 45 per cent had exercised excessively to keep theirweight down.
From this evidence the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit estimated3.5 children in every 100,000 in the UK are treated for an eatingdisorder. The use of size zero models and increasing sales of fitnessmagazines to boys has increased concern among young people about theirimage, particularly their weight.
Some schools are building the self-esteem of their students throughBodyTalk Workshops designed to break through stereotypes of the perfectbody. Students are encouraged to discuss their feelings and thoughts onbody image with activity sheets and group discussions with a view tounderstanding how media imagery works and its effects, how appreciatingothers can help people in a positive way, and how to improveself-esteem.
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