Eating Disorders Cause 1,500 Young Women to Seek Medical Assistance
The number of young ladies trying to find treatment for eating disorders rose by nearly 200 last 12 months, reaching in close proximity to 1,500, in accordance with calculated results.
Issues with bulimia and anorexia caused 1,447 young women to consult their nurse practitioner or general physician, and 222 of these young women were under the age of 18.
The total is up from 1,279 the previous year, although it is lower than the 1,526 recorded in 2005-06.
The figures were revealed by Public Health Minister Shona Robison in answer to a parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat health spokesman Ross Finnie.
Findings for 2008-09 showed that males between the ages of 10 and 30, were released from the hospital following an eating disorder diagnosis, and 4 males within this category were admitted to psychiatric hospitals for treatment.
Mr Finnie urged the Scottish Government to improve care for this “vulnerable” group of people. He said: “Scotland’s battle with the bulge is widely reported, but eating disorders, which can be just as serious, often go unnoticed.
Mr. Finne added, “When bulimia and anorexia are undiagnosed and neglected, the results may be equally as deadly as those caused by obesity.” The increase in young women struggling with eating disorders and seeking their nurse practioner’s or physician’s assistance, is quite alarming.
“We know that Scotland is lagging behind the rest of the UK when it comes to proper support and diagnosis. The Health Secretary must reflect on these figures and take steps to improve care for these vulnerable people.”
A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government, said in reply: “In partnership with the NHS boards and those working with them, we are in the process of enhancing services available to individuals with eating disorders, and the support to them and their loved ones, with the ultimate goal of helping them to conquer their disorders.
“People with eating disorders will also benefit from work we are taking forward to improve access to psychological therapies and to respond better to depression.”
For more information about Types of Eating Disorders
