If you have an eating disorder, there are serious changes to the way you eat. For example, you may eat far less or overeat. You may be distressed or concerned about your body shape or weight. This section has information if you have an eating disorder or are worried that you do.
•Eating disorders are illnesses that develop when problems with food or eating patterns spiral out of control.
•Eating disorders often start during adolescence or early adulthood but you can get them in adulthood.
•It is common to have another mental health condition alongside an eating disorder.
•Eating disorders can lead to a wide range of physical health complications. This includes serious heart conditions and kidney failure which can be fatal.
•Medication, talking therapies and family therapy can all be effective treatments for eating disorders.

Anyone can develop an eating disorder regardless of age, sex, cultural or racial background. Females are more likely than males to develop an eating disorder, but it is thought that eating disorders in males are greatly under-diagnosed and should be acknowledged as a growing issue. According to BEAT, the eating disorder charity, at least 10% of people diagnosed with an eating disorder are male.