Around 1.25 million people in the UK suffer from eating disorders, many in secret. They are of all ages, genders and backgrounds – eating disorders do not discriminate.

 

Eating disorders include bulimia, binge eating disorder, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), other specified feeding or eating disorder (OSFED), and anorexia, which tragically has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, though all eating disorders can be deadly. While this is the worst-case scenario, there are many ways in which eating disorders severely affect the quality of life of both those suffering and those who care about them. They steal childhoods, devastate relationships and pull families apart. With the right treatment and support, recovery is possible.

 

 

BEAT is the UK’s eating disorder charity. Founded in 1989 as the Eating Disorders Association, their mission is to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.

 

For more information, visit https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/