This article http://www.eatingdisordersonline.com/news/eating-  disorders/hospitalization-caused-by-eating-disorders-in-young-children-on-the-rise#comment-1762 is about how eating disorder related hospitalizations of children under twelve are on the rise.  ”The results of the anti-obesity drive over the last few years   focusing on eating habits and losing weight – may have unintentionally contributed towards an increase in eating disorders.” Said Dr. David S. Rosen.

I agree.  It is a point of view to consider that perhaps the anti-obesity movement has backfired and kids are receiving mixed messages.  The constant pressure on youth to be as thin as possible is accepted and allowed until the kid hits that point where they cross a line and then are reprimanded for having gone over board into the land of anorexia. On the flip side the anti-obesity boogie man is hovering and this puts kids in a bind.  It is a difficult double standard

What's a kid to do???

for kids to grapple with. “I’m supposed to be thin, but not too thin.”   “I’m supposed to exercise but not too much.”  ”When I fail at diets and gain weight, people are happy until I get pudgy then they worry that I’m going to be fat.”

The yo yo dieting that results is dangerous emotionally and physically. Until we remove the pressure on kids to look a certain way in order to be attractive and successful, then we can’t expect them to understand when they are doing it right or doing it wrong. And by then, they are already in the hospital.

It is National Eating Disorders Week…Please Pay Attention and focus on health not weight, it’s better for the children!