Press requested to show restraint in reporting eating disorders

THE press is being urged to show restraint when reporting eating disorders, to prevent copycat behaviour.

Says The Herald today, the East Dunbartonshire MP, Jo Swinson, said at Westminster yesterday: “The parents of young people suffering eating disorders are often distressed to find a horde of articles with graphic images and details of low weight and tiny amounts of food they have used as inspiration.”

Swinson also spoke directly to The Herald.

She is reported saying that press restraint on the reporting of suicides – again to prevent copycat behaviour – should be applied to eating disorders.