You can\u2019t tell just by looking at someone whether they have an eating disorder or not. The signs can be subtle and often difficult to identify. A person with an eating disorder may also go to great lengths to mask or hide their symptoms from others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eating disorders aren\u2019t just about dramatic weight loss or frequent trips to the bathroom after meals. They are very often associated with feelings of low self-worth, deep emotional distress and an inability to cope with this distress. You may have noticed a change in the way someone close to you behaves and relates to other people, such as withdrawing from friends, relationships or avoiding social contact all together. Or you may have noticed a change in the person\u2019s mood, for example, being more tearful, hopeless, angry or defensive than usual. Physical changes to their body might also be visible, but not always.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For some people, the warning signs of an eating disorder can include anxiety or irritability around meal times, avoidance of eating with others or avoidance of food in general, preoccupation with topics around food, calories or weight, or frequent self-criticism in relation to body image. For others, none of these warning signs might be present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each individual\u2019s experience of an eating disorder will be different and the various types of eating disorders are associated with different symptoms. The main types of eating disorders are described below:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Eating disorders can be life threatening. Medical complications can arise due to low weight, starvation, or frequent vomiting or laxative abuse which can cause a fatal imbalance of \u2018electrolytes\u2019 in the body (essential for our cells and organs and therefore preserving life). Eating disorders also carry high risks of permanent damage to the vital organs of the body, such as the heart, kidney, and digestive system. If you recognise any of these symptoms in yourself or another person, make sure you seek medical advice as soon as you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BMI stands for \u2018body mass index\u2019 and this is a number which is calculated using a person\u2019s height and weight. A healthy BMI is considered to be between 20 and 25 and you should aim to keep your BMI between these figures for good health. A BMI below 20 indicates that a person may be underweight, and above 25 indicates a person may be overweight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BMI is only a guideline, and generally applies to adults between the ages of 18 \u2013 60. It also does not take into account your body frame or build so also is not accurate, for instance, for athletes, weight trainers or women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMedical Risks of Eating Disorders<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
BMI Explained<\/h3>\n\n\n\n