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Strict, highly competitive schools driving girls to anorexia

A new study has found that girls are being driven to anorexia by high schools that are strict and competitive, expecting them to be perfect in every possible way.

Melbourne, Oct 2 : A new study has found that girls are being driven to anorexia by high schools that are strict and competitive, expecting them to be perfect in every possible way.

The study undertaken by the University of Western Sydney researchers looked into the attitudes of 30 female students, comprising of 24 students who are being treated for anorexia nervosa.

The researchers related the illness with their school's "over-emphasis of self-discipline, competition and the virtue of being thin".

The University of Western Sydney research, led by Associate Professor Christine Halse, said that many girls felt that their experiences at school were defining moments in their anorexia.

"In school environments where high achievers win awards and enjoy the esteem of their peers and under-achievers are regarded as failures, kids learn from a young age that success and achievement are desirable outcomes," News.com.au quoted Professor Halse , as saying

"When the culture and practices of schools focus excessively on competition and individual achievement, it can encourage a drive for perfection.

"This drive for perfection is a key feature of anorexia, and for vulnerable individuals it can extend to other areas of daily life," she added.

Professor Halse said even school timetables have limited time allotted for eating.

"Schools are disciplined environments where timetables and bells are used to regulate the approved use of time, including where and when a student can eat," she said.

"Again, the virtue of discipline can unwittingly encourage and reinforce the behaviours and values of girls who are susceptible to anorexia," Prof Halse added.

Prof Halse also insisted though it is necessary to fight obesity, too much focus on body image is detrimental too.

"When health education equates slenderness with health and fitness, it can lead students to over-emphasise the importance of being thin - for girls who might already be feeling society's pressure this can fuel anorexic behaviour," Prof Halse said.

"The problem can be compounded by school activities, such as swimming carnivals and gym classes that make bodies the objects of public display and that encourage students to make physical comparisons of body shape and size," she added.

ANI