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Joan Bakewell 'deeply sorry' over anorexia comments | Joan Bakewell 'deeply sorry' over anorexia comments |
(35 minutes later) | |
Labour peer Joan Bakewell says she is "deeply sorry" for causing "distress" by suggesting the rise of eating disorders among teenagers was a sign of "narcissism" in society. | Labour peer Joan Bakewell says she is "deeply sorry" for causing "distress" by suggesting the rise of eating disorders among teenagers was a sign of "narcissism" in society. |
She told The Sunday Times "no one has anorexia in societies where there is not enough food", and it was a sign of "the overindulgence of our society". | She told The Sunday Times "no one has anorexia in societies where there is not enough food", and it was a sign of "the overindulgence of our society". |
Campaigners criticised her comments, saying anorexia had complex causes. | Campaigners criticised her comments, saying anorexia had complex causes. |
The broadcaster, 82, later tweeted she was "full of regret". | The broadcaster, 82, later tweeted she was "full of regret". |
She added: "I have spent 6 hours answering tweets. I did not expect the [Sunday Times] to quote my views on anorexia and am full of regret that my reported views have caused distress. I am deeply sorry. | She added: "I have spent 6 hours answering tweets. I did not expect the [Sunday Times] to quote my views on anorexia and am full of regret that my reported views have caused distress. I am deeply sorry. |
"I am tired now and taking a break from Twitter. Goodnight everyone." | "I am tired now and taking a break from Twitter. Goodnight everyone." |
'Speculating loosely' | 'Speculating loosely' |
Earlier, asked by one Twitter user if she had been misquoted or misinterpreted by the newspaper article, she replied: "Misinterpreted: I am deeply sad that young people get anorexia and was speculating loosely about what might cause it." | Earlier, asked by one Twitter user if she had been misquoted or misinterpreted by the newspaper article, she replied: "Misinterpreted: I am deeply sad that young people get anorexia and was speculating loosely about what might cause it." |
Baroness Bakewell told the newspaper that anorexia was "one example of the way [young] people have become very self-regarding". | |
She said: "I am alarmed by anorexia among young people, which arises presumably because they are preoccupied with being beautiful and healthy and thin. | |
"No one has anorexia in societies where there is not enough food. | |
"They do not have anorexia in the camps in Syria. I think it's possible anorexia could be about narcissism." | |
Baroness Bakewell's comments prompted a response from Time to Change, a mental health anti-stigma campaign run by the charities Mind and Rethink. | Baroness Bakewell's comments prompted a response from Time to Change, a mental health anti-stigma campaign run by the charities Mind and Rethink. |
A spokeswoman said: "Anorexia, just like any other mental health problem, is a genuine and debilitating condition, with complex causes. | A spokeswoman said: "Anorexia, just like any other mental health problem, is a genuine and debilitating condition, with complex causes. |
"The stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these issues only makes life harder for people going through them - so what we need is increased understanding and support." | "The stigma and misunderstanding surrounding these issues only makes life harder for people going through them - so what we need is increased understanding and support." |
In response to criticism from one parent on Twitter, Baroness Bakewell said: "It's not your daughter who's narcissistic: it's the culture." | In response to criticism from one parent on Twitter, Baroness Bakewell said: "It's not your daughter who's narcissistic: it's the culture." |
She also went on to tweet: "If I've stirred a public discussion about anorexia... Good. Let's have more research and information." | She also went on to tweet: "If I've stirred a public discussion about anorexia... Good. Let's have more research and information." |
Rising hospital admissions | |
The NHS describes anorexia as a "serious mental health condition", which can affect both men and women. | The NHS describes anorexia as a "serious mental health condition", which can affect both men and women. |
It also cites missing meals, taking appetite suppressants and having physical problems such as feeling lightheaded and having dry skin as among its symptoms. | It also cites missing meals, taking appetite suppressants and having physical problems such as feeling lightheaded and having dry skin as among its symptoms. |
Hospital admissions for eating disorders in England have been increasing, figures suggest. | |
In the 12 months to October 2013 there were 2,560 admissions, which was an 8% rise on the previous year, statistics from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) show. | |
There were nine times more females than males taken to hospital, and the most common age for female admissions was 15 years old. | |
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has previously said that increases in hospital admissions could be down to social pressure made worse by online images. |
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