Eating disorders seen as problem for rich white girls
Girls as young as seven are being diagnosed with anorexia. But many doctors are still dismissing eating disorders as a waste of time and hospital beds.
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Exclusive: Eating disorders are seen as a rich girl’s problem with many clinics only located in wealthy areas and doctors across the country still dismissing anorexia as wasting time and beds.
But girls as young as seven are being diagnosed with the condition with social media driving incessant body comparisons, an increased emphasis on image as well as providing a platform for cyber bullying.
The findings come from a landmark report from the country’s leading eating disorder group The Butterfly Foundation which found out-of-pocket treatment expenses can cost tens of thousands of dollars a year and there was steep postcode discrimination.
The report found many treatment clinics are located in more wealthy neighbourhoods and that some eating disorder patients found living in fashionable, rich neighbourhoods increased their risk.
“There is an expectation that because the area is more affluent people should dress a certain way and wear certain brands. And these certain brands require a certain body shape,” one respondent wrote in the nationwide survey.
“I live in a very ‘fit’ neighbourhood, always seeing people running or going to the gym is very triggering.”
Another said: “The specialised treatment facilities in Melbourne are ALL in the affluent leafy eastern suburbs. Double whammy financially when you’re travelling distances.”
Butterfly Foundation CEO Kevin Barrow said private girls’ schools were particularly well resourced to deal with eating disorders but they were also more aware, as was the case with wealthy suburbs.
“I think perhaps there is a prevalence in some of those communities but also an openness to seeking help,” he said.
The Butterfly Foundation has recorded a staggering increase in the amount of contacts from people seeking help with a 47 per cent increase in the last year alone.
There has also been a huge rise of webchats — up 90 per cent in the last year and 325 per cent increase over past two years.
Mr Barrow said social media was a significant factor behind a rise in cases and their research had found almost 58 per cent compare themselves to people on social media, half wish they look like people on social media and 48 per cent were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their appearance;
“That is particularly alarming as body dissatisfaction is the biggest risk factor for an eating disorder,” he said.
“When it comes to an eating disorder, there’s still this concept of it is a lifestyle choice – it’s something that wealthy white girls suffer from.”
Research has found that, much like other mental health conditions, eating disorders are partly genetics and partly environmental factors.
“If you have genes loading the gun and the environment pulling the trigger – well the environment that our kids are exposed to these days is very, very different to what it was. You get a lot of unhelpful imagery and comparisons and online bullying. We are seeing body image issues occurring in children as young as seven and eight,” Mr Barrow said.
The report also found:
• 78 per cent of people with an eating disorder are going without the basic and essential health requirements due to treatment costs, and 17 per cent are paying between $5,000 and $10,000 in out of pocket costs per year
• 34 per cent had to travel more than 100kms to receive care.
• 92 per cent of healthcare workers need more training and education in eating disorders treatment and care.
Maddy Tyres, 30, was diagnosed with anorexia at age 15 and hospitalised but told News Corp Australia it started for her five years earlier, with teasing about her body. She now tours schools to talk to students about eating disorders and said social media is crippling for many young people.
“The pressure on kids these days is so intense. You definitely see a lot of it in private girls schools but equally, there are kids of all genders, cultural backgrounds, ages and sizes who are suffering,” said the actress, who also appeared on Lego Masters.
“In my view there is definitely a correlation between the craziness of social media and the rise in eating disorder cases.
“Comparison is certainly at the forefront of the issues I see – especially with celebrities and influencers being idolised. And online bullying plays a huge part in self-esteem – how many friends, likes and followers they have.
“Problem is if you restrict social media then they get isolated from their friends so it is a double-edged sword.
“It is very challenging for parents.”
Brisbane’s Lexi Crouch, 32, was diagnosed with an eating disorder at age 7 and spent the next 15 years being treated before making a full recovery.
She said a lot has changed in that time in terms of access to treatment but that social media was also playing a negative role in body image comparisons.
The perception that eating disorders were a ‘rich girl’s’ problem had some roots in truth she said, but that it was also about accessibility to treatment.
“That was very much the model that I fitted into – very privileged and going to a private girls school.
“It is very much an identity thing, you are thrown around with affluent families and it is what you thought was of value was the way you looked. It was a confusing time,” she said, noting that she was treated in an eating disorder clinic in a wealthy suburb often frequented by private school girls
“If you had an eating disorder and went to a private school that was where you went.
“But it also has a lot to do with resources and if you have the money.”
For more information on Butterfly Foundation’s MAYDAYS report visit www.butterfly.org.au/MAYDAYS.
Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact Butterfly’s National Helpline 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or support@butterfly.org.au.
Originally published as Eating disorders seen as problem for rich white girls