Homepage > Health > Mind > Eating Disorders
What is an eating disorder?
First, ask yourself what does the term eating disorder mean to you? Think about it for a minute…
Did your answer centre around:
- food
- weight
- dieting
- appearance to the degree that a person's heath, relationships and daily activities are affected
If so, then you understand something about the symptoms of an eating disorder. But if that's all you're thinking about, you may be unaware of the underlying causes of this disease.
About eating disorders
Problems with food develop as a way of coping with
- emotional pain
- separation
- low confidence or self esteem
- depression
- stress or trauma
There is usually no single cause of eating disorders and they are often a response to a combination of different feelings or pressures including:
- Abuse
- Breaking up with your partner
- Bullying
- Coping with death
- Domestic violence
- Family relationships
- Friendship problems
- Stress
- Lack of confidence
Types of eating disorders
Anorexia– Sufferers reduce the amount of food they eat due to a fear of gaining weight and often go without food for a few days.
Bulimia– Sufferers often eat large quantities of food quickly and then try to get rid of the food they have eaten by making themselves sick.
Binge eating – Not all eating disorders involve losing weight. Bingeing on food during the day and eating when you are not actually hungry can cause people to gain large amounts of weight which is not good for your health.
What are the symptoms?
- restricting food intake
- binge-eating (excessive eating of junk food)
- bingeing and purging (excessive eating and then making yourself sick)
- overeating
- excessive exercise
Help lines
- B-eat Youthline (the UK's leading eating disorder charity) – 0845 634 7650 fyp@b-eat.co.uk or click here for 1-1 chat
- Connexions Direct - 080 800 13 2 19, by text 07766 4 13 2 19, by textphone 08000 968 336
Useful websites
B-eat
Beat is the leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families.
NHS livewell – Eating disorders
Information and advice on eating disorders.
National Centre for Eating Disorders
Excellence in the treatment of eating disorders and the provision of certified professional training courses.
Online tools
Healthy weight checker
Accurate for both adults and children, this new BMI calculator will tell you if you are a healthy weight. It will also provide you with personalised information and advice based on your results.
Health eating self-assessment
Could your diet be putting your health at risk? Find out with this short assessment of your eating habits.
Your Comments
Posted - 09:09, 28 Nov 2009
I have a eating disorder called bulimia and i have been struggling alot over the years but wen i came here for help i am recovering and i am eating a bit again it is a good website x
Post a Comment
Thank you for posting a comment.
Your message will be moderated before going live on the site.
Please enter a message.
Why not rate this article? Give this article your rating from (1) not very helpful to (5) very helpful
Posted - 12:09, 02 Nov 2009
this website, is useful for children and it is good. :)