Anorexia, binge eating or bulimia bans do not help

By law against eating disorders? Drastic increase in eating disorders
Eating disorders such as anorexia (anorexia) or bulimia (eating-crushing addiction) have developed in recent years into a relatively common symptoms, which was often associated with the "slimming delusion" of the fashion industry. France has therefore recently banned anorexic models by law on the catwalk. "But anorexia or bulimia can not be prohibited by law," says Thomas Nawrath, press secretary of the Barmer GEK in Saxony-Anhalt.

In Saxony-Anhalt, case numbers for eating disorders have risen by 10.3 percent over the past five years, according to Barmer GEK. Contrary to the stereotype, not only young women are affected, but over 50-year-olds are also increasingly diagnosed with eating disorders. A law against an anorexic model on the catwalk, according to the spokesman of the Barmer GEK in Saxony-Anhalt, does not help much here. Rather, the prevention of eating disorders is a societal task.

The body feeling and the self-perception are often significantly impaired in an eating disorder. (Image: RioPatuca Images / fotolia.com)

Nationwide increase in case numbers
In Saxony-Anhalt, in 2009, 768 insured persons were treated for anorexia, bulimia, binge eating or other eating disorders. In 2014, 847 insured persons were already covered, according to the announcement by Barmer GEK. Also in other federal states a corresponding trend is noticeable. For example, Thuringia recorded an increase in the number of cases by 16.6 percent between 2009 and 2014, and in Saxony the number of cases even increased by 19.7 percent. According to a report by Barmer GEK, Germany saw an increase of 14.5 percent in the period from 2009 to 2014. For Saxony-Anhalt, the evaluation also showed that eating disorders are not only a relatively common problem in young women, but are also diagnosed very frequently in the 30- to 40-year-olds. An increase in the diagnoses of anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating in this age group has been 41.4 percent over the past five years.

More than 50-year-old women are more frequently affected
The largest increase in diagnosed eating disorders since 2009, according to the announcement of Barmer GEK in the age group 51- to 60-year-olds with 76.8 percent. And even among the over-60s, a particularly drastic increase in diagnoses (plus 62.2 percent) was observed. Often here are "serious life crises, the changed body after a birth, years of dieting or the fear of aging" causes for the problems, reports the spokesman for Barmer GEK Saxony-Anhalt. "In a young-fixated society, the fear of losing success and recognition increases with age," Nawrath continues. The decision of the French Parliament last week to ban by law the anorexic model on the catwalks, is not a solution here. "Anyone who has eating disorders needs professional help and no law", emphasizes the spokesman for the Barmer GEK.

Eating Disorders Decline in Early Childhood
Eating disorders are a serious illness, which may be caused by a wrong body feeling, which goes back to the bad role model effect of the fashion industry. "But the causes of anorexia and other eating disorders are usually somewhere else," explains Nawrath. Here are, for example, difficulties in the family, unprocessed grief or pressure to perform, which is also transferred to the own body, as frequent causes. In the evaluation of the Barmer GEK, according to the statement of the health insurance, however, a very positive development has emerged. Fortunately, the diagnoses of eating disorders in early childhood have decreased noticeably nationwide as well as in Saxony-Anhalt, reports Nawrath. At this point, the previous trend could be reversed.

Prevention already starts in the day care center
To prevent a further increase in eating disorders, the Barmer GEK estimates that improved health precautions and prevention are needed. "Here is the adopted a few weeks ago prevention law to welcome - but at important points it falls short, if it only the statutory health and long-term care to take the obligation," said the spokesman for Barmer GEK Saxony-Anhalt. In any case, children should learn as early as possible and experience how they can properly feed and move to stay fit. This already starts in the day care centers and should also be continued at school. Information and background on anorexia, bulimia and binge eating is presented by Barmer GEK in the brochure "Detecting Eating Disorders and Acting. Guide for relatives "ready. "Parents, friends, medics and health insurance companies have to pull together to help those affected," said the country's press secretary Barmer GEK. (Fp)