2 September 2010 Last updated at 07:37 ET

Gloucestershire help group tackles eating disorders

A new support group for young people with eating disorders has been set up in Gloucestershire.

Mental health bosses said about 4,700 people in the county could be suffering from anorexia nervosa, binge eating or other abnormal eating habits.

The aim of the group is to bring people together to share experiences and help overcome their problems.

Senior Nurse Clinician Vanessa Fray-Smith said the team would provide a "family-centred approach".

Blame culture

"When a young person is ill this can have knock-on effects to relationships within their whole family," she said.

"We try to erase any blame culture and provide the opportunity for open communication".

Figures show that eating disorders affect up to 6% of young women but can also occur in men, children and older women.

The first meeting is on Thursday 16 September, at the University of Gloucestershire's Oxstalls campus, from 1930 BST.