Anorexia Starts by Age 10 for Half of Sufferers

Those with the disease are getting younger and younger
By Kate Seamons,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 7, 2010 11:27 AM CDT
Anorexia Starts by Age 10 for Half of Sufferers
To eat or not to eat?   (©daniellehelm)

Anorexia is typically thought of as a disease that strikes teens, but new research shows that the suffering begins at a much younger age for many. A British survey of 250 sufferers found that 53% said their issues began at age 10 or younger; 29% said they were between the ages of 11 and 15. 'We conducted a similar study earlier this year and found the average age of developing the condition was just 12 years old," said the rep for an eating disorders charity. "There was even a case of a 6-year-old showing signs of the illness."

The survey also found that more than half blamed their condition on family stress, like divorce or death of a loved one; only 3% said size-0 models were to blame, reports the Daily Mail.
(More anorexia stories.)

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