The view of children and young people about eating disorders

Healthwatch Northamptonshire was commissioned as part of the Northamptonshire Children and Young People’s (CYP) Future in Mind Local Transformation Plan for Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health, to engage with CYP across the county to find out if they knew what an eating disorder was, if they knew anyone with one, and if they knew where to get help and information.

2,017 CYP between the ages of 11-20, completed the survey and attended workshops.

Key findings were: 78% knew what an eating disorder was, 31% said they knew someone with one, and 7% said they themselves had an eating disorder. Anorexia was the most recognised as an eating disorder (by 86% of respondents). There were some stark gender differences in knowledge and awareness, with more female respondents knowing what an eating disorder is and knowing where to go for help and information, although overall only 47% of respondents did know where to go for help.

Based on the findings, Healthwatch recommended that more resources should be put into raising awareness of eating disorders and where to go for help and information, particularly targeting males and those aged 12 or under. Additionally,

more information about eating disorders should be disseminated through schools. Schools should have appropriate mechanisms to support young people, and that students know about them. Further investigation into the prevalence of undiagnosed eating disorder, particularly among young men in Northamptonshire and whether there is a link between identifying gender as ‘other’ or ‘prefer not to say’ and an increased prevalence of eating disorders.