Eating Disorders

Eating disorders occurring in children and adolescents are highly complex illnesses and involve significant psychological and medical issues. They present in many different ways, and their treatment requires a sustained, multidisciplinary approach. There are no easy answers.

Eating disorders are often poorly understood and underestimated in contemporary society. There are mistaken beliefs that eating disorders are about vanity, a dieting attempt gone wrong, an illness of choice, a cry for attention, or a person “going through a phase”. A common misconception also is that eating disorders only affect adolescent girls.

Although they can develop at any age, eating disorders commonly develop during adolescence and have a significant negative impact on cognitive, physical, social, and psychological aspects of health. They are associated with a high level of co-morbidity and high levels of mortality. Eating disorders need to be taken seriously. Early awareness, recognition and support for people suffering from eating disorders reduces risk and improves outcomes.

As part of Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2011, three local events are being organised in Bunbury with the aim of raising awareness about the seriousness of eating disorders and negative body image. Members of the Western Australian Eating Disorders Sector, in collaboration with St John of God Hospital Bunbury, will be hosting the state-wide launch in Bunbury which formally opens this week.

Other events to be held locally include two training workshops for health and education professionals and a parent/carer skill building workshop for those with a loved one suffering with an eating disorder.

These events will be held on 1, 2 and 3 September 2011.

For more details please do not hesitate to contact kate.avery@sjog.org.au.