Dana: The 8-Year-Old Anorexic

Cutting Edge - Dana: The 8 Year Old Anorexic

This script is for anyone concerned about themselves, their child or someone else with an eating problem.

At a time when most people seem to be concerned over their own body image, it can be difficult for parents to know if a young person has an eating problem or disorder. There are some signs you can look out for and which should be taken seriously, they include:

• Regularly skipping meals and obsessively counting calories.
• Eating only low calorie foods.
• Exercising obsessively.
• Disappearing immediately after a meal (in order to vomit).
• Dramatic weight loss or gain.

It's particularly important to have a varied, healthy diet, particularly for young people, to ensure the proper development and function of your body.

If your weight is causing you problems and making you unhappy you can talk to your doctor or the nurse at the surgery, they can help you work out a healthy eating plan.

And here are some organisations that can help. The phone lines to some of these organisations are very busy, but please keep trying.

B-EAT provides advice and support for anyone concerned about any eating disorder including anorexia and bulimia nervosa. If you're 18 or under, call the Beat Youthline on local rate number 0845 634 7650 open Monday to Friday evenings from 4.30 to 8.30pm and on Saturdays 1pm to 4.30pm. The Youthline TEXT service on 07786 20 18 20 will get back to you within 24 hours, longer at weekends. There's a Youthline email service at fyp@b-eat.co.uk. Parents, teachers or any concerned adults should call the Beat Helpline on 0845 634 1414 on weekdays 10.30am to 8.30pm and Saturdays 1 to 4.30pm or you can check out their website at www.b-eat.co.uk which hosts a separate site for young people.

The National Centre for Eating Disorders provide private counselling for compulsive dieters and anyone with an eating disorder, including; obesity, anorexia, bulimia and binge eating check out their website at www.eating-disorders.org.uk.

Young Minds offers information and support to young people and their parents on a range of issues. There's a free dedicated Parents Information Line on 0800 018 2138 open Monday to Fridays 10am to 4pm and Wednesday evenings 6 to 8pm. They have some very helpful booklets especially for young people on subjects such as self-injury, eating disorders, depression, bullying and abuse. You can find these leaflets and other information on their website at www.youngminds.org.uk or write to them for free copies with a stamped self addressed envelope stating the subject you require information on to: Young Minds, 48 - 50 St John's Street, London EC1M 4DG or email to enguiries@youngminds.org.uk.

If you're using the internet you'll find useful information on healthy eating at the NHS Direct website at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or call them on 0845 46 47.

If you're a young person ChildLine provides free and confidential counselling for anyone up to the age of 18. The free helpline is open 24 hours a day, every day on 0800 11 11. If you have difficulty in hearing or in using a regular phone try the textphone service on 0800 400 222. ChildLine phone lines can be very busy but do keep trying and you will get through. More information is on the website www.childline.org.uk or you can write to ChildLine, Freepost NATN 1111, London E1 6BR.

There's a Channel 4 website with lots of information about body image and weight problems, go to channel4.com/health.

This message has been prepared by New Media at Channel 4.

Channel 4 Television takes no responsibility for the content of any third-party sites.