The number of children and young people being referred into specialist eating disorder services and starting treatment has increased in recent years [1].
The NHS defines an eating disorder as “a mental health condition where people use the control of food to cope with feelings and other situations”. Eating disorders may involve someone either eating too much or too little or worrying about their weight or body shape.
In England, the number of children and young people starting treatment for an eating disorder increased from 5,243 in 2016-17 to 11,809 in 2022-23. In London, 874 children and young people began treatment in 2016-17, compared to 1,455 in 2021-22.
Mind suggests that social pressure, family issues, physical and mental health problems, biological and genetic factors and experiences of trauma may cause eating problems [2].
For the first of two meetings on eating disorders, the London Assembly Health Committee will meet tomorrow to discuss the prevalence and causes of eating disorders in London, the role of early intervention services, and what the Mayor can do to help.
The guests are:
- Hope Virgo, Author and Campaigner
- Dr Karina Allen, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Eating Disorders Outpatients Service - South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
- Andrew Radford, Chief Executive, Beat Eating Disorders
- Jazz Bhogal, Assistant Director, Health, Education and Youth, Greater London Authority
The meeting will take place on Thursday 29 June from 10am, in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
Follow us @LondonAssembly.
Notes to editors
- NHS, Children and Young People with an Eating Disorder Waiting Times, 11 May 2023
- Mind, Eating problems
- Full agenda papers.
- Dr Onkar Sahota AM, Chair of the Health Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Health Committee.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more details, please contact Emma Bowden in the Assembly Media Office on 07849 303897. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.