asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) in which it is estimated that one in 100 adolescent teenage girls suffer from anorexia nervosa; and if he has any proposals to regulate advertisements for dietary and allied matters in view of the effect that such advertisements may have on young persons.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Advertisement Regulation.
17.
The report in question has been drawn to my attention. The Deputy will be aware that the figure he quotes was subject to qualification and was not based on Irish statistics. The effect which advertising on dietary matters might have one young persons is not clear and I have no proposals to regulate such advertisements.
I realise the figures are not based on Irish statistics but on a comparison with Britain. They must be assumed to be reasonably correct. Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that from 1971 to 1976 there was an increase of 25 per cent in reports of this disease? Is he further aware that, while two-thirds of the patients recover to a greater or lesser degree, it is reckoned that one-third still remain as chronic cases and, of that one-third, five per cent are estimated to die or to attempt suicide? Does he regard this as a serious matter?
I can only take the medical advice I get from the Department. In my Department it is considered that advertisements relating to dietary and allied matters would have only a marginal effect, if any, on persons liable to suffer from anorexia nervosa.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary agree that while advertising on dietary matters might have only a marginal effect, it is reasonable to assume that once these people go on a diet they may continue on a diet and this may contribute in some way towards their acquiring the disease of anorexia nervosa?
I am glad the Deputy gave me the opportunity of saying this. Nobody should embark upon any kind of vigorous diet without getting medical advice.
Another contributory factor may be that at times it is referred to as "the Twiggy syndrome" which, I believe, is incorrect, but it may encourage young girls to embark on such a diet.