A book aimed at helping young children lose weight has outraged
an eating disorder help group.
Maggie Goes on a Diet, aimed at 6 to 12 year olds, tells the story
of an overweight girl who goes on a diet and goes on to become the
school soccer star.
Its Hawaiian publishers pitch the book on their website as an inspirational tale for kids.
"Maggie has so much potential that has been hiding under her extra weight," the website says.
Deb Schwarz, manager of Eating Difficulties Education Network (EDEN), a New Zealand not-for-profit organisation, says the book could have the opposite effect, and encourage eating disorders among children.
"Research shows poor body image is associated with depression, bullying, eating disorders, risk taking behaviours, and reduced physical activity. Messages like those in the book promote body dissatisfaction."
She says there are concerns that dieting messages increase disordered eating in children.
According to EDEN, between 2007 and 2010, 29 children under 13 were hospitalised in New Zealand for treatment for disordered eating, a number which does not include those who received support from private clinics and institutions.
And research published in the American Academy of Pediatrics indicated that the rate of eating disorders among children has increased significantly in recent years.
The article cited dieting amongst the reasons for this increase, something which Schwarz says she is not surprised by.
"The dangers of dieting are nothing new. Even in the 90s there was already evidence linking dieting to developing disordered eating, for example in 1999, research found that the girls who dieted were at least five times more likely to develop an eating disorder. Those who dieted severely were 18 times more likely to develop an eating disorder."
The book is being released in New Zealand in October.
What do you think? Have your say on the messageboard below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentnzlgraham said on 2011-08-23 @ 04:42 NZDT: Report abusive post
Good on the author and publishers. It is time the problem was addressed and parents seem unable to do it. It cannot be that hard to manage a child's eating but all we get is a load of denial and PC wish wash.
GoodGravey said on 2011-08-19 @ 16:05 NZDT: Report abusive post
CrunchieNZ says "Here is yet another example of condemnation of something valid and important for the sake of a few." You just don't get it, do you? People are flooded with images of how bad we are for not having the right body image. And to focus that at children is reprehensible! Size, weight do not matter if you are healthy. Here's a tip: google "Health At Every Size". Learn a thing or two.
beetlewilliams said on 2011-08-19 @ 12:15 NZDT: Report abusive post
I really hope that this book is withdrawn. One of the biggest "triggers" for me in terms of my own Anorexia was when I read a book about a girl suffering from it when I was 11. I am turning 33 next week and am still not recovered despite 4 residential treatments, numerous hospital stays, outpatient treatments and years of therapy. The Eating Disorder was already there but the book provided me with the tools and I used it as a step by step guide and got very sick quickly. This makes me so sad and there is no doubt in my mind that this book should be taken off the market. Nothing positive could possibly come from it.
CrunchieNZ said on 2011-08-19 @ 09:51 NZDT: Report abusive post
Here is yet another example of condemnation of something valid and important for the sake of a few. There are many more cases than 29 of obese (not even considering those overweight children) so let's not put an important tool into the public domain that might just improve a few children's lives. Alcohol an kill if abused but is used responsibly by many! Make the book widely available. Many more will potetially benefit than those who will abuse it's message.
k1wibeca said on 2011-08-19 @ 05:51 NZDT: Report abusive post
Children, even those on the heavy side *do not* nedd to go on a Diet. all that should be necessary at that age is for them to move around a bit more and eat peoperly. Something that could and probably should be done as a whole family thing.