EATING DISORDERS, BODY IMAGE AND THE MEDIA

Early day motion 796, tabled 5 June 2000 by Alice Mahon (Labour). Signed by 77 members.

That this House congratulates the Board of Science and Education of the British Medical Association for the publication of its report 'Eating Disorders, Body Image and the Media' which considers the role that the media can play in the causation of eating disorders; notes that eating disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of all psychiatric illnesses, and are an increasing problem in modern western societies; welcomes the Government summit which is to take place on this issue on 21st June; and calls upon the Government to implement the recommendations in the BMA's report which call for clearly defined targets for the reduction in the number of eating disorders through preventative measures, extra resources to be given for mental health services, specifically eating disorder clinics, and increased public education on the connections between dieting, physical activity and health, and the health risks associated with eating disorders and being underweight.

Signatures by party: Labour 58, Liberal Democrat 10, Labour/Co-operative 5, Scottish National Party 2, Plaid Cymru 1, Unknown 1.