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Anorexic girl kills herself after row over food

Catherine Edwards
Catherine Edwards - [email protected]
Anorexic girl kills herself after row over food
The girl, who had been suffering from anorexia for a few years, died after throwing herself of a balcony in Turin. Photo: Maëlick/Flickr

An 11-year-old girl with anorexia is thought to have committed suicide, reportedly after rowing with her mother over food.

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The girl, who had been being treated for anorexia for several years, died after jumping from the third floor balcony of the family’s home in the Crocetta district of Turin on Sunday night, Torino Oggi reported.

She reportedly said she was going out onto the balcony for some fresh air after having an argument with her mother because the girl wouldn't eat her dinner.

An ambulance was called and she was taken to the city's Regina Margherita hospital, where she died of trauma to the head shortly after arriving.

Over three million Italians suffer from eating disorders, with the majority of sufferers being children, according to government figures.

A report by the Ministry of Health in 2013 said there are an estimated 2,500 new cases of anoxeria and more than 3,000 of bulimia each year.

Last year a group of Italian MPs proposed jail terms and hefty fines for people encouraging eating disorders. The aim was for the proposed legislation to be used against people running websites which are viewed as encouraging eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.

Italy has moved to try and tackle the problem in the past. The country grabbed international attention in 2006 after skinny models were banned from the catwalk at Milan Fashion Week.

In early 2013 Italy joined Spain and Israel in adopting laws against ultra-thin models on catwalks and in advertising campaigns.

Anyone who is feeling suicidal can receive help from the Samaritans by calling 800 86 00 22 or Telefono Amico by calling 199 284 284.

 

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