Children as young as eight are being diagnosed with anorexia nervosa in Ireland.
According to a new 'BMJ Open' study, the number of new cases of the disease amongst pre-teens in the UK and Ireland has doubled since 2006.
The report estimates that 95 eight to 17-year-olds are diagnosed with anorexia in Ireland every year - 11 of which are aged between eight and 12.
Overall, the majority were young women (91%) from England (70%) and of white ethnicity (92%) with a mean age of 14.6 years.
Incidence also increased steadily with age: peaking at 15 for young women and 16 for young men.
England has the largest population (78%) and notified 70% of new cases.
Scotland, containing only 7% of the total population, notified 14% of the sample and Northern Ireland - containing only 3% of the population - notified 13% of the sample.
By contrast, Ireland notified only 2% of cases, despite containing 8% of the population.
Wales notified no eligible cases - however some cases were notified, but did not meet the inclusion criteria.
