Girls' eating disorders rise

Published on 11/05/2009 22:11

MORE Scots girls than ever are developing eating disorders, health chiefs warned yesterday.

Identified as the worst hit area was Lothians, where – records show – nine people are being treated for anorexia.

The worrying figures come just days after it was revealed Scotland's first 12-bed eating disorder unit is to be based at St John's Hospital in Livingston.

Scottish Government figures showed that 444 "malnourished" people were discharged from hospital last year.

Dr Fred Pender, a research fellow at Edinburgh University, said celebrity fashion could be among the key factors involved.

He added: "We have noticed quite a rise in the number of girls who are suffering from anorexia. The worrying thing is that we are seeing it happen at a younger age than ever before."