WE have heard a lot in East Lancashire recently about the problem of childhood obesity caused, in the main, by unhealthy diet and insufficient exercise.

Now we are told the area also has a significant problem with youngsters suffering from eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia.

More than 120 children have received treatment for these conditions in the past five years – some of them as young as three.

The majority (109) were aged between 12 and 16 and an issue central to their problems is said to be pressure to conform to a certain body image – the ideal we are used to having pushed at us in TV advertising and fashion magazines.

But other factors, like healthy eating and exercise, are also important just as they are in the problem of obesity in children.

Education is key and our sons and daughters need to be taught the importance of sensible eating and balanced diets from early an age.

Teachers also need to be trained to look for any signs of mental health issues which could quite literally become life-threatening so they can be tackled by professionals as soon as possible.