In the past few years, young Canadians have been increasingly engaging in dieting behaviour. Approximately 40% of girls in Canada have dieted to lose weight by the time they're nine years old - even if not recommended to do so by a healthcare professional. These unhealthy eating habits are extremely unsafe, and can often lead to eating disorders.

Eating disorders are extremely serious and dangerous, with the highest death rate of any mental illness; one of every ten people suffering from ED's will die from their disorder. What's more, only 50 percent of of people with an ED will fully recover. This is especially shocking because if treated early, most people with eating disorders will make a full recovery. This means that the 50 percent of people who don't fully recover do so because they don't know they have an ED, they don't feel comfortable enough to get help, or they don't have access to help. 

For this reason, the Toronto District School Board needs to start spreading awareness about the prevention and treatment of eating disorders within every single one of its schools. Children in younger grades should be taught about body image and body positivity as well as good health, and children in older grades should be taught specifically about how to prevent and treat eating disorders. Not only will this help reduce the number of people with eating disorders, but it will also help eliminate stigma around the subject and help people get access to help if they need it. 

Every child should have the right to learn this information. Please help by signing and sharing our petition.