Alcohol, drugs, safe sex and health foods are all taught in our high school classes, yet we tend to skip teaching our students about the disorder that has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. Serious eating disorders affect 8 million Americans, yet 10 percent of Americans reach adulthood unaware of any type of the disorder. Having an education on this severe issue starting in high school can help children identify and prevent the symptoms of the disorder.

A majority of eating disorders are developed in adolescence and 10 percent of people affected by the disorders die within one to five years of development. With these frightening numbers, how can we not want to do more to educate our children. Our schools must implement a higher amount of education on eating disorders to inform and warn of the life threatening effects.

Tessa Cox

Spokane