Eating Disorders in Men
Reverend the Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes: My question is directed to the Minister for Police, Minister for Lands, and Minister for Emergency Services, on behalf of the Minister for Health. Is the Minister aware of the sharp rise in the number of boys and young men starving themselves, bingeing and purging? In particular, I ask the Minister whether he is aware of the recent findings from the Garvan Institute and the Eating Disorders Unit at the Children’s Hospital in Westmead, which stated:
“Interestingly, before puberty, one in every four sufferers of anorexia is male. After puberty, one in eleven sufferers is male, though that ratio is on the increase.”
“Boys as young as eight were being diagnosed with anorexia but the conditions were often missed by GPs and parents who assumed only girls were susceptible.”
Given that anorexia has a high mortality rate, that is, that 20 per cent of sufferers eventually die as a consequence of this disease, and that one in five will at least attempt suicide, can the Minister elucidate what specific programs will be established to turn our community attention to this disturbing trend that often goes unnoticed in society?
The Hon. Tony Kelly: The New South Wales Government acknowledges the significant impact that eating disorders have on individuals, their parents and their carers, and it is committed to the provisions of services focused on addressing those impacts.
Area health services provide a range of programs for people with eating disorders. It is recognised that eating disorders do not affect only girls and women—as the member pointed out, eating disorders also affect men and boys. We are building the capacity of our services and service providers to deliver appropriate treatments.
Last year an extra $4.1 million over four years was allocated to enhance statewide eating disorder services. Over 30 specialist eating disorder beds in New South Wales provide acute and developmentally appropriate interventions.
The Centre for Eating and Dieting Disorders, a joint initiative between Sydney South West Area Health Service and the University of Sydney, was conceived as a central coordination point for all matters relating to eating disorders across New South Wales, including promoting awareness, improving access to services, providing support and advice to practitioners, and conducting and fostering research.
In 2006, NSW Health developed guidelines for the management of adolescents with eating disorders in regional and rural inpatient units in New South Wales. This will facilitate the uptake of best practice, improve the consistency of care provided, and improve outcomes. As the member directed his question, through me, to the Minister in other place, I undertake to obtain additional answers if I did not answer any other issues.
