MPs said the government’s approach to tackling aggravated eating disorders and a negative body image was dangerous, while calling for action on edited images in advertisements.
A report highlights the impact the pandemic has had on the way people view their bodies, and criticizes the growing number of women and men in England with eating disorders who are denied support because they are not considered underweight enough to justify it not.
The report says that the use of the body mass index (BMI) – a measure that applies height and weight to calculate a healthy weight point – to determine if someone needs help with an eating disorder should be scrapped. A normal body weight is considered to be between 18.5 and 24.9 BMI.
MPs believe that the government’s obesity strategy could not promote ‘healthy behavior’ and could ‘contribute to body image’. They add that ads with edited images should be restricted or banned.
The report, published Friday by the Commons Women and Equality Committee, found that closure had a ‘devastating’ impact on those at or high risk of developing eating disorders and increasing anxiety about body image.
This is because concerns have been expressed about an ’emergency’ for eating disorders, in an information article shared by a leading psychiatrist and campaigners. Hospital admissions have quadrupled in recent years, with no extra investment in specialist inpatient services over time.
Caroline Nokes, the Conservative chair of the committee, said there had been a large amount of research and recommendations on how to tackle a negative body image over the past decade, but “government action in this area is limited”.
She said using BMI as a measure of a healthy weight has become a kind of proxy or justification for weight loss. She added: “It has to stop.”
A Guardian investigation heard of women saying they were being denied help because their weight was not low enough. One said her doctor told her that her weight had to drop to eight stone before she could seek help.
Nokes said: ‘We are particularly concerned about the increase in eating disorders and are concerned about the fact that the obesity strategy and the data collection of obesity levels are exacerbating things by not promoting healthy behavior. The government must ensure that its policies do not contribute to body image printing.
“Advertising and social media can cause a negative body image if users are bombarded by ads that are not very diverse. It is of the utmost importance that people are protected to see continuous pressure on content online and that businesses advertise their products in a responsible manner. ‘
The committee heard evidence that the annual cost of dealing with eating disorders is £ 15 billion, but only 96p is spent on research into eating disorders per person who experiences it. The report says that funding for research on eating disorders should be in line with the research funding of £ 9 per person for people with mental health problems.
MPs are calling for an urgent inquiry into why eating disorders for men, women, children, ethnic minorities and the elderly are on the rise, and to develop policy interventions to reduce these increases. They also call for an investigation into the extent and impact of weight-based discrimination for people accessing NHS services, as well as an independent review of the obesity strategy to ensure that policies are based on it.
The committee said it was imperative that companies apply their advertising rules and community guidelines on social media, and that strong sanctions should be imposed for not doing so, including but not limited to substantial fines.
Tom Quinn, the director of external affairs at the charity Beat, an eating disorder, welcomed the recommendations. He said the helpline has delivered 100,000 support sessions and has seen a 302% increase in demand over the past year.
He said: ‘BMI should never be used as the sole factor in diagnosing eating disorders, or in determining who is’ unwell enough’ to access treatment. This can lead to potentially dangerous delays and can drive people deeper into eating disorders to be taken seriously.
“The government’s obesity strategy needs to be reviewed immediately, as it includes measures that are known to be dangerous for those who are ill or vulnerable, such as including calories in the menus. We believe that none of the risks involved should be implemented before this review takes place. ”
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: ‘We know that a bad body image can be a factor in disordered eating for men and women, and we are committed to providing results for those with eating disorders and related mental health problems. improve – with record funding for dedicated services in the community.
‘Early intervention services are being launched for young people with eating disorders who can see that they can start treatment within two weeks.
“With more than 6 out of ten adults being overweight or living with obesity, it is important that we act to help people live healthier lives, and our approach is guided by the latest research and emerging evidence. NHS England is clear that it does not support the use of BMI thresholds. ”