Eating-Disorder Alert for Kids’ Doctors

Children’s doctors have a major role to play in the diagnosis and treatment of eating disorders, a new report says. The report comes from the American Academy of Pediatrics. It notes that the rates of children diagnosed with eating disorders have been rising. There’s been a large increase in children under age 12. Hospital treatment of eating disorders in this group has more than doubled since 1999. About one-half of 1% of U.S. teen girls have anorexia nervosa, the report says. About 1% to 2% have bulimia. About 5% to 10% of those with eating disorders are male. The report urges children’s doctors to watch for the signs of eating disorders. To help prevent obesity, doctors should focus on healthy eating and building self-esteem, the report says. They should avoid statements that might trigger extreme dieting. The journal Pediatrics published the report.