Friday saw the foundations being laid for a new campaign in Malta to raise awareness of the growing problem of eating disorders on the island. Nineteen-year-old Louisa Bartolo started “Taste Freedom” as a result of suffering from anorexia, which had set in before starting sixth form.
Still recovering from the disorder, Louisa spoke of never being taught about nutrition whilst at school, and how she only realised her misconception of “healthy eating” after speaking to a nutritionist and psychologist during her recovery period.
“Children are not educated on proper nutrition and I doubt if many teachers in secondary schools really know much about the subject. Teenagers should be made aware of the implications and long lasting effects of not eating properly.”
Dr Dorothy Scicluna, a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist, gave people present a break down of various eating disorders, the requirements needed to offer better services to sufferers, the challenges regarding treatment, and also pointed out the fact that Malta does not have an Eating Disorders Unit. This means research into this growing problem is not being done specifically in Malta.
“We know that these disorders present the highest mortality rate among psychiatric sufferers. The absence of an Eating Disorders Unit discourages many people from being able to come forward and admit they have a problem. Another problem is the lack of psychiatric help readily available to many sufferers.”
Unless people can afford the costs of private treatment or hospitalisation, one has to wait for a vacant place within the Psychiatric Unit. The most common form of eating disorder in Malta seems to be binge-eating, which may possibly be related to the high obesity levels present in Malta. There is no specific section of the unit for people suffering from Eating Disorders and so patients are made to share wards with people suffering from various other problems. This can obviously be very daunting to anyone and can result in not seeking any help.
Elaine Dutton from the Health Promotion Department spoke not only of the difficulties experience by the people suffering from eating disorders but also the problems of their loved ones.
“Many GPs are not always able to recognise eating disorders at an early enough stage, since symptoms are usually more psychological than physical. Parents are usually clueless, find themselves helpless and feel guilty about what is happening to their children.”
Dutton agreed the possibility of these disorders being a continuum of the obesity levels in Malta and also mentioned the problem of underlying issues, which may have triggered the disorder to begin with.
Catherine Gonzi, the chairperson of HSBC Cares for Children Fund, urged other organisations to play a part in providing help for Taste Freedom to raise awareness.
“Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia Nervosa cause serious physical and psychological problems whilst suffering, but has long-term effects on the body which can not be completely cured.”
Along the same lines, the chairperson of the Vodafone Malta Foundation, Gemma Mifsud Bonnici said, “Everyone has something to give in their own way.” She also emphasised the need to educate family and friends on the seriousness of this growing problem.
Minister for Family and Social Solidarity, Dolores Christina, said that not only is this action a ‘Taste of Freedom’ but also a ‘Taste of Courage’. She admired Louisa and her colleagues for what they are doing and said that there was a need for pressure groups.
“My niece also suffered from an eating disorder some years ago and the frustration of the family is overwhelming. I do not mean to sound cruel but Louisa and her colleagues should now take responsibility and push to improve the situation in Malta.”
Emma Helene Hogg and Chantelle Camilleri were two teenagers who along with Lousia briefly shared their experiences of battling food disorders and finding themselves lucky to have had the support and funds needed to get themselves through the tough period.
Hogg said, “I have been lucky but some are not in the same position as myself. They need therapy but have nowhere to go and private treatment is too expensive.”
Both Hogg and Camilleri felt proud to have reached a stage of recovery and through it all have finally managed to feel comfortable with the way they look and feel.
Prof. Bob Palmer, a senior lecturer and honorary consultant psychiatrist from Leicester, was the guest and final speaker of the meeting. Palmer gave a more holistic view of eating disorders including statistics, the historical context with records reaching as far back as 1870, and also mentioned the possibility of a larger number people suffering from eating disorders than stipulated.
“Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa are the most ‘popular’ eating disorders we hear about but there is a large number of the population, not just in Malta but also in the UK and possibly the world, who suffer from Atypical Eating Disorders which are harder to identify.
“Eating disorders have been glamorised because of the hype built up by the media on the celebrities. But there is nothing glamorous about sticking your head down the toilet and purging or struggling, as an 80-year-old would, when getting out of bed. It is a serious problem which needs to be tackled and should not be taken lightly.”
This campaign may finally be a step forward for people suffering from eating disorders but there is still a long way to go. Government and private funding is required to make more services available to the people, educating the population from a young age is a must, and an Eating Disorders Unit has to be set up for research and facilities to help sufferers. Louisa Bartolo, along with friends and colleagues, has taken the first brave step, however it definitely cannot stop there. As Dolores Christina stated, they are now responsible for this campaign and the message which has to be heard.