Website of the UK government
Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.
Main menu
Page menu
Health and well-being
Eating disorders
Anyone can suffer from an eating disorder but it is young people who are at greater risk. Although symptoms range in type and severity, there are common symptoms you can look out for. If you think you or someone else may be suffering from an eating disorder, check out the help and support available.
What is an eating disorder?
Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa (characterised by avoidance of food) or bulimia nervosa (usually involving fasting, bingeing and vomiting) are often the outward sign of inner distress. They are the way some people - including children - cope with all sorts of problems, including:
- long-term term illness or disability
- family strife or a death in the family
- pressure at school, including bullying
- being abused
- pressure to diet and be slim
- lack of self-esteem
Eating disorders are also linked with depression and drug abuse although, in some young people, the reasons for the development of an eating disorder are far from clear.
What are the signs?
Anyone can develop an eating disorder. It is seen most often in young women between the ages of 15 and 25, although young men are also affected.
A combination of the following symptoms may indicate someone has an eating disorder:
- always weighing themselves or examining themselves in the mirror
- being frightened of gaining weight or looking overweight
- thinking they are grossly overweight
- binge eating followed by forced vomiting or fasting
- using laxatives and water-tablets without any apparent need
- compulsive exercise such as gymnastics, jogging or cycling
- secret eating with the same kind of food, especially cakes
- hoarding secret supplies of food
Getting help
If you think you, or someone you know, may have an eating disorder, it's important to see your doctor. Left untreated, eating problems can seriously affect your health. For appropriate individuals, specialist help is available.
On the NHS Choices website you can find out more about eating disorders, how they are treated, and what you can do to help a friend or relative.
The Eating Disorders Association, now known as 'beat', provides support and helplines for adults and young people with eating disorders and their families, including an email service.
More useful links
In this section...
Additional links
Swine flu information
