Talking Point

Surveys have revealed that children as young as six can develop eating disorders. Start a discussion about what causes problems with food and how they can be addressed.

A recent survey on eating disorder charity Beat's website has revealed that children as young as six are affected by eating disorders. Of the 158 responses from 12- to 24-year-olds, 29 responded saying they were between the ages of six and 11 when they first started having problems with food. A new study by Cambridge University has also revealed that 50 per cent of six-year-olds say they would like to be thinner.

Start a discussion about eating disorders and why they might be more prevalent among young people. Eating disorders can occur when people use food to cope with emotions and could be triggered by stressful situations, family issues, social pressures, or traumatic events such as bereavement or abuse. Although food is involved, an eating disorder is a serious mental illness and is a way of controlling emotions and feelings. Talk about how controlling food intake might give someone a sense of discipline and independence in their life.