Just as the government are tackling the rising problem of overweight children and child obesity, experts warn that eating disorders may start in children as young as eight years old. An expert in behaviour and qualified teacher Nicky Hutchinson, has co-written a book entitled Body Image in the Primary School, which is designed to support parents and teachers who want to help children to develop a healthy approach towards their bodies.

Although anorexia is usually associated with teenagers, surveys have revealed that one in three girls and a fifth of all boys are concerned about their bodies by ten years old. Another survey of 1000 girls, conducted by Girlguiding UK, revealed that 75 percent of girls between seven and eleven years old would like to change their appearance. By the time the girls reached 10 and 11 years old, one in eight children wanted to be thinner.

Children are constantly exposed to images of underweight celebrities and models, with television and magazines portraying thin women as being glamorous. London Fashion Week is just one event where underweight models strut their stuff down the catwalk, presenting an image that children think is healthy.

Although obesity in children is a cause for concern, being too thin is also unhealthy at any age. The book that has been co-authored by Nicky Hutchinson, is aimed at supporting teachers and parents while they help children to talk positively about their bodies. It is important not to talk negatively about physical appearance or weight, as children may be influenced by such comments.

As the government try to tackle the problem of rising child obesity levels, perhaps consideration ought to be given to those with an eating disorder. Could the constant media attention focused on overweight children exacerbate the problems of eating disorders in young people?