[Sandra Osborne in the Chair] — Eating Disorder Awareness — Backbench business

Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall at 1:30 pm on 14 February 2013.

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Photo of Caroline Nokes Caroline Nokes Conservative, Romsey and Southampton North 1:30, 14 February 2013

My hon. Friend raises an important point. It is thought—I emphasise “thought”—that about 11% of sufferers are male, but interestingly, they are among the fastest-increasing groups.

The figures that I have given do not take into account the families of those who suffer, meaning that the social footprint of eating disorders is breathtaking. Be assured—to refer back to my hon. Friend’s point—that sufferers are by no means all teenage girls. That is one of several myths about eating disorders that need to be exposed.