New Doll’s Eating Habits have Experts Concerned
A controversial new doll, which is being called the ‘Anorexic Doll’ by the media, shakes her head, says”NO” and refuses to eat when a spoon is held near its mouth. The doll will only eat when it is eventually force fed.
“Would I bring this doll into my home and let my daughter play with it? Absolutely Not.”remarked Jennifer Lombardi an Eating Disorder Expert in a recent CBS news interview when asked about the Nenuco ‘Won’t Eat’ Doll which is currently being sold in Europe and is scheduled to be available in the US this spring.
Watch the 2 minute CBS report here.
The following comment originally appeared in the Medical Daily.
“This doll sends the wrong message to children and encourages them to think that refusing food is normal behavior,” said YoungMinds, an European organization that focuses on children and young people’s well-being and mental health. “We would not want children to be influenced by this, and are concerned that it promotes unhealthy attitudes towards food and body image.”
“We urge the manufacturers to think more responsibly and be aware of the fact that children are incredibly receptive, and that negative attitudes to food can be easily formed and take many years to break,” Policy Manager at YoungMinds, Chris Learman, told the Daily Mail.
Dr. Lynda Brogdon an Eating Disorder Expert and Founder of Canopy Cove, a Christian Based Eating Disorder Treatment Center, said “The negative response to the doll by parent groups and the media is understandable. I’m encouraged that the high level of concern shown by the public may be a positive indication that our country is beginning to acknowledge the severity of Eating Disorders. It certainly seems like a wise choice to avoid purchasing this doll.”
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Canopy Cove’s Christian Based Eating Disorder Treatment Programs offer compassionate, comprehensive treatment for females, males, adolescents, and adults, who are struggling with Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorders and Co-Existing Diabetes, Depression, and Anxiety. Equine-Assisted Therapy is an weekly part of the Recovery process at Canopy Cove.