More and more girls with eating disorders

Number of girls with eating disorders has risen

05/11/2014

Last year, the number of young girls hospitalized for food-borne eating disorders has risen alarmingly. One in four of those affected is under 15 years old.

In 95 percent of cases, young women are affected
According to experts, the number of young girls who went to hospital last year for health-threatening eating disorders has risen alarmingly. At 26 percent, more than one out of every four hospitalizations for anorexia or bulimia in 2013 affected those under the age of 15. This is evident from a survey published by the Kaufmännische Krankenkasse (KKH). More than 95 percent of the cases concerned young women. Although it was said that the number of outpatient eating disorders since 2006 had been slightly declining, but in 2013 had around 20 percent more insured with these complaints in a hospital. Extrapolated to all those insured under the law, this would mean more than 8,000 people with hospital stays and around 140,000 in outpatient treatment.

Magerwahn and model casting shows
The health insurance company is responsible for the cause of a perfection-striving body culture of the society with Magerwahn and model casting shows. According to experts, the emergence of an eating disorder is complex. Not only did girls follow a morbid ideal of beauty, they were also exposed to growing pressure to perform at school and in the family. The check-up of adolescents (J-study) is an important way to identify and treat developing anorexia or bulimia. In addition to a physical history is the goal of this investigation, the detection of puberty and sexual disorders as well as socialization and behavioral disorders. Also, the Bavarian State Statistics Office announced a few days ago, that eating disorders especially in women appear in appearance, usually at an age between 15 and 30 years.

Massive health problems
In addition to complaints such as sleep disorders, panic attacks or depression, the slimming craze can bring numerous other massive health problems. In addition to being underweight, anorexics often suffer from stomach problems and intestinal complaints, cardiovascular disorders, osteoporosis or organic damage. Eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia are now among the most common chronic health problems in childhood and adolescence. According to the Robert Koch Institute, around 11,500 cases were treated in German hospitals in 2012. Children from economically weak families and migrants in Germany are according to a study of the institute particularly endangered. (Ad)