Eating disorders in America are increasing day by day. More so, the number of children, especially teenagers, with eating disorders is on the rise. As of today, anorexia is the third most common chronic illness among adolescents. It has been found that 95% of those who have eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25. (Lewis) The fact that eating disorders are becoming more common could be related to the fact that much pressure from media and peers is being exerted to have an ideal slim body. Issues of acceptance, success, recognition and personal worth are also being associated with the more lean body that society promotes. As a result, many teenagers are victims to eating disorders and with this disease comes sadness, frustration, fear, depression and loneliness (Bardnick) This highlights the need for action to be taken in addressing eating disorders and preventing them from occurring. The relationship of social work with anorexia on the rise is very significant. Schools are the number one place where teens feel the need to fit in and with a social worker being able to communicate with students about anything is extremely beneficial to most. The main approach of social workers in schools has been to counsel the child with their problems and to inform the family of the situation taking place (Morales, Sheafor, Scott 109). In order for the previous step to happen and to enable social workers to do their job, teachers need to make referrals when evident problems are occurring with a student. However, school social workers are also in the position to detect students’ changing attitudes around food, weight, body shape, social functioning, and academic studies too since they are surrounded by them on a daily basis. School social workers are in a position to identify at-risk individuals, enforce effective school-based prevention programs, make appropriate referrals, and provide support for recovering individuals. (Morales, Sheafor, Scott 109). Social workers are trained to initially spot young men and especially women who may be suffering from an eating disorder (Bardnick).Many are trained to create treatment plans. The need for the development of more services for sufferers of eating disorders is much needed. School social workers need to acquire more information and training in ways to deal with students having issues of eating disorders. Reaching towards a person at risk of developing an eating disorder while recognizing those going through such experience, calls for more outreach and early prevention. Prevention should focus on personality development and helping students have a positive self-concept that is based on inner qualities and various abilities (athletic, musically, or artistically talented) students possess at a young age. Social workers need to understand that teens are going through a time of emotional and physical change, academic pressures, and a greater degree of peer pressure. Although there is a sense of greater independence during the teen years, such as driving and later curfew, teens might feel that they are not in control of their personal freedom due to the fact that parents can be overbearing. Sometimes they feel that the only thing they can truly control is their body which develops a disorder. It is important for school social workers to recognize that denial in a student is not directed against them. Knowing that denial will likely be the individual's first response when initially confronted should not stop a social worker from expressing concerns to the student, and his or her parents, as well as referring the individual to a professional trained in the area of eating disorders. Social workers serve as a link between school, family, and community and they need to enable the child to feel comfortable around them (Morales, Sheafor, Scott 110). I personally feel that being educated about eating disorders through the school at a young age does not help prevent the illness from happening. I actually believe this is where most children find out about them and learn to develop these bad habits from the books and text although these resources are implying they are dangerous. As a social worker dealing with this problem, I would create programs that help boost self-esteem/confidence. They should guide students and help students to explore eating disordered thinking and behaviors and learn strategies to become healthy. Social workers also need to stress to parents that in a household food should not correlate with appearance. If parents are always dieting, children will fear eating because they are nervous about gaining weight. Social workers in schools have been a big help to those children who suffer from eating disorders. Without them, many teens would not be healed from these diseases. Social workers need to continue working hard so that children feel like they always have someone to confide in and that someone will always be there for them. Morales, A. T., Sheafor, B. W., & Scott, M. E. (2009). Social Work A Profession of Many Faces (pp. 109-110).

Eating Disorder Statistics Retrieved April 12, 2010 from http://www.state.sc.us/dmh/anorexia/statistics.htm

Health Care Industry Retrieved April 12, 2010 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KOC/is_2_8/ai_n8580067/pg_4/?tag=content;col1