What is anorexia nervosa and what are the signs, symptoms and treatment?
The eating disorder is most common is teenagers, so do you have concerns about YOUR kids?
ANOREXIA is a serious and potentially-fatal mental health condition which affects thousands of women and a growing number of men.
The illness can lead to fragile bones, infertility and heart problems if left untreated. These are the signs to look out for...
What is anorexia nervosa?
Anorexia nervosa, often known as just anorexia, is a very serious mental health condition which causes the person to restrict the amount they eat.
The sufferer of the eating disorder aims to keep their body weight as low as possible by avoiding food, vomiting or exercising excessively.
The condition usually affects girls and women, however, more recently it has started affecting more boys and usually it develops at around 16 or 17 years old.
Despite being less common than some other conditions, anorexia is one of the leading causes of mental health-related deaths - as a result of malnutrition or suicide.
Some celebrities have gone public with their struggles, including EastEnder’s Michelle Collins.
She recently opened up about her battles with anorexia and bulimia.
Also on Coronation Street, the actress revealed she was so thin from starving herself and using laxatives she was mistaken for a drug addict.
- Missing meals, eating very little or avoiding eating any fatty foods
- Obsessively counting calories in food
- Leaving the table immediately after eating so they can vomit
- Taking appetite suppressants, laxatives, or diuretics (a type of medication that helps remove fluid from the body)
- Repeatedly weighing themselves or checking their body in the mirror
- Physical problems, such as feeling lightheaded or dizzy, hair loss, or dry skin
What is To The Bone and why has the Netflix film proven so controversial?
Netflix recently launched an original movie called To The Bone.
The film follows Ellen, a 20-year-old character that is battling anorexia nervosa.
Lily Collins plays the leading role alongside Keanu Reeves, who is one of the doctors working for a recovery group.
To The Bone tackles a sensitive subject, so it's unsurprising that viewers have concerns about the content.
One Twitter user accused the Netflix creation of generalising the eating disorder.
Another suggested that the film was glamorising the illness.
They said: "I wish anorexia recovery was as romantic and funny as in Netflix's 'To The Bone'. But it's bulls***."