Healthy Eating in Schools, Overweight and ‘Eating Disorders’: are they connected?

This paper raises questions about the increase in ‘eating disorders’ and the widespread preoccupation with diet and weight among girls in both primary and secondary schools. Obesity and overweight are also on the increase (in adults and children) and are seen as priorities to be tackled by health promotion. Empirical research is required to investigate the effects of educational messages aimed at children about fat in the diet and healthy eating, and their possible implication in the increase in both overweight and in pre‐occupation with body size. Is health education actually part of the problem, making girls more conscious of their weight? The paper reviews some of the relevant literature and also suggests practices in schools which may help or hinder true ‘healthy eating’ and healthy perceptions of self. Whilst teachers should not be expected to tackle clinical cases of ‘eating disorders’, there is much that can be achieved in schools to promote children's self‐esteem and positive body image, together with teaching about food and eating.