DOES HEALTH-EDUCATION PROMOTE EATING DISORDERS

Recent research evidence suggests an increase in the incidence of eati ng disorders. Some studies emphasize a particular increase in children and young adult males. Health education material promotes diets low i n fat and cholesterol as generally beneficial. Disturbing evidence is emerging, however, suggesting some link between such diets and an incr ease in aggression, depression and suicide. Animal studies have demons trated higher levels of aggression in monkeys fed a 'prudent' (low fat ) diet than those fed a 'luxury' (high fat) diet. It is suggested that individuals vulnerable to eating disorders may be particularly suscep tible to advice which offers a specific route to perfection. This pape r reviews current literature associating low fat, low cholesterol diet s with mood changes and self-injurious behaviour, suggesting some tent ative links with the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia ner vosa.