24/02/2026
๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ถ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ธ
23 February - 1 March 2026
What are eating disorders?
Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses affecting people of all ages, genders, ethnicities and backgrounds - anyone can develop one.
People with eating disorders use disordered eating behaviour as a way to cope with difficult situations or feelings. This behaviour can include limiting the amount of food eaten, eating very large quantities of food at once, getting rid of food eaten through unhealthy means (e.g. making themselves sick, misusing laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise), or a combination of these behaviours.
Itโs important to remember that eating disorders are not all about food itself, but about feelings. The way the person treats food may make them feel more able to cope, or may make them feel in control, though they might not be aware of the purpose this behaviour is serving. An eating disorder is never the fault of the person experiencing it, and anyone who has an eating disorder deserves fast, compassionate support to help them get better.
www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
There are a number of myths surrounding eating disorders. Here are a few of the most common, along with the real story:
โMyth: Eating disorders are a choice.
โ๏ธFact: Eating disorders are mental health disorders and are never a personal choice.
โMyth: Parents are to blame for their loved oneโs eating disorder.
โ๏ธFact: There is often nothing a parent or other carer could have done to prevent the eating disorder, but they are often best placed to help to create an environment that promotes and supports recovery. Although treatment may involve families changing certain behaviours, this is often because families have inadvertently fallen into routines that accommodate the behaviours that have come from the eating disorder, as opposed to them being at fault.
โMyth: Eating disorders are someone being vain and seeking attention.
โ๏ธFact: Although there is often an association between body dissatisfaction and eating disorders, eating disorders are not someone being vain or just wanting to look a certain way. Eating disorders are serious diagnosable illnesses; they are not a lifestyle choice, a phase, or someone being attention seeking.
โMyth: Someone must be underweight to have an eating disorder.
โ๏ธFact: Often when people think of someone with an eating disorder, they think of someone who is significantly underweight. However, although weight loss is typical in anorexia nervosa, most people with an eating disorder stay at an apparently โhealthyโ weight or are โoverweightโ.
โMyth: Eating disorders only happen to young girls.
โ๏ธFact: Research shows that eating disorders do not discriminate โ they affect people of all genders, ages, ethnicities, s*xual orientations, weights, and socioeconomic statuses.
BeatEatingDisorders.org offer a range of services for those affected by eating disorders. From support with telling someone you have an eating disorder to Helplines, online support groups as well as other services and downloadable resources.
Knowing where to start if you have, or think you may have, an eating disorder can be challenging.
The link below provides a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the possible steps you might want to take if you are worried about disordered eating, displaying eating disorder behaviours, have an eating disorder or supporting someone who is struggling with one.
www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/get-help-for-myself/im-here-for-the-first-time/
