Advice

If you have a problem with food or your weight, that's an eating disorder. And eating disorders can make you so ill that you end in hospital. Get all the facts here, plus advice on what to do if you think you have one...

What is it?

An eating disorder is when we have a problem with food. And our weight.

We may think we're too fat. And start restricting what we eat. We think life will be better if we lost weight.
Most of us feel this way at some time or other.

But it can get out of control: We obsess about every calorie. Every bit of exercise. A kilo gained can ruin our day. It starts taking over our life. And threatening our health and happiness. Then it's called an eating disorder.

What do eating disorders make you do?

The two most common types are:

• anorexia nervosa - This involves starving the body to an unhealthily low weight. Our hair can fall out. Our bones get thin. Our nails get brittle. Our periods may stop. Dark downy hair can start growing on our arms. Such a bad look. Worst of all, we feel miserable.
• bulimia nervosa - This involves bingeing food. This means stuffing in food in a fast, helpless way. Then vomiting after eating. Or taking laxatives (pills that make you poo more) to try to lose weight. Our teeth start to rot. And we feel miserable.

Some people with eating disorders become so ill they end up in hospital. Some find they can't have babies when they're older. And occasionally, people die.

This is why you shouldn't ignore any worries you have about yourself or your friends.

Why do people get eating disorders?

Some people are just naturally more prone to eating problems, others develop a mixed-up attitude to food as they get older.

"I work really hard at school. I am a perfectionist about everything. No way am I going to be lardy"

Stress or bad experiences can also make us more likely to suffer.

"If I looked skinny they'd like me better at school."

If someone in our family is funny about food, we're more likely to be too.

"My mum was always obsessing over her size ten jeans. I felt bad about my bum when it got bigger than hers"

Often we begin by dieting to lose weight. Then we feel better about ourselves. We feel in control, and better looking, so we keep going. We may find it difficult to stop, even if we know we're harming ourselves.

I think I've got an eating disorder...

Ask yourself these questions:

Do I

• Feel guilty when eating certain foods.
• Sneak food or eat large amounts on the spur of the moment
• Prefer not to eat in front of other people
• Stop going to fun events because there might be fattening foods.
• Weigh myself a lot and feel fat even when I'm not
• Often count calories and/or fat grams and worry about what I'll eat next.
• Try not to eat for a while, and then overeat and feel bad.
• Make myself vomit, use laxatives, or over exercise.

Said yes to any of these? Especially the last question? You may have a problem

Talk to someone you trust and see your GP. Don't waste any time. The sooner you start getting proper help, the better your chances of beating it. Don't spend another day being miserable about food.

More help and advice

Beat: Understanding eating disorders
Young Minds: Eating disorders
BBC Health: ConditionsDisorders - More from the BBC