Eating Disorders

Eating problems

People’s attitudes to eating are affected by their emotions, as well as the way they are brought up.

People's appetites may change at different ages and this is normal. Some people eat a lot or eat anything, others are more particular. Younger children often refuse to eat certain foods and teenagers may go through food fads. Most people have tried out different diets at some time in their lives, whether to slim a little or put on some weight, or to improve general health.

Problems with food can develop through worry or stress. People who feel under pressure may lose their appetite; they may turn to food for comfort and eat even when they are not hungry. Their worries about food may be related to their size or body shape, or can be more about their emotions and self-esteem.

Eating problems and disorders often become established during adolescence and should be taken seriously.

When eating problems persist and interfere with a young person’s normal way of life, they may be diagnosed as eating disorders. The most serious are anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive eating. Eating disorders can affect know matter what their age or sex is.

Anorexia, bulimia and compulsive eating

Anorexia and bulimia are serious mental health conditions that need professional help to diagnose and treat. Both are eating disorders and can lead to other physical and emotional problems.

People with anorexia have an extreme fear of gaining weight. They feel fat even when they have lost so much weight that it becomes obvious to others. They may starve themselves by only eating tiny quantities of food.

They become so preoccupied with their weight and shape and so distorted in their thinking about food, that it is very difficult for them to accept the need to eat a proper diet.

People with anorexia may pretend to have eaten when they have not, exercise vigorously, use laxatives or make themselves sick in order to lose more weight.

People with bulimia eat large amounts of food in binges and then make themselves sick to get rid of the food. They may also take large amounts of laxatives. They may not look overweight or underweight, and because of this their eating problems are often difficult to detect. Continuous bingeing and vomiting can do serious harm to their bodies.

People who eat compulsively consume much more food than their bodies need over a long period, they use food to comfort or distract themselves. They may become very overweight, which can lead to serious medical problems.

Despite these signs, many people may deny they have a problem. They may try to keep it a secret and find it difficult to accept they need help.

Family and friends can do a lot to support a person with an eating disorder particularly by talking to them about their feelings and everyday problems.

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