Eating disorders

What you eat and drink can affect your life now and in the future. Having a healthy diet doesn’t mean giving up all your favourite foods – but it does mean eating a range of foods that will help keep your body working properly and at a healthy weight.

Eating disorders can be triggered by all sorts of situations and can, in the early stages, go completely unnoticed. A focus on food can become a way of controlling your life; especially if you feel you have little or no control of your life in general. If you are suffering from an eating disorder, or you think a friend might be, speak to your Connexions personal adviser. They will be able to advise and support you and put you in touch with people who can help.

Eating disorders are not easy to tackle on your own and can be dangerous if left untreated. The earlier you seek help the better.

BEAT – information about eating disorders, how to get help and how to help someone you know with a problem.
www.b-eat.co.uk/YoungPeople/Home
BEAT Youthline – 0845 634 7650

NHS Direct – useful information about binge eating. Search under Binge eating.
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk

The Site – sections on anorexia, bulimia, binge and compulsive eating.
www.thesite.org – go to Health and wellbeing>Mental health