Eating disorders are often perceived as unhealthy preoccupations with food, but these are complex conditions that can have a damaging effect on physical and emotional health. According to beat, formerly the Eating Disorders Association, "an eating disorder occurs when eating or not eating is used to block out painful feelings."

Young girls and women are particularly prone to developing eating disorders, which are thought to stem from the need to control feelings of low self-esteem and self-worth. Women are ten times more likely than men to develop an eating disorder, with young women aged 16-25 most at risk.

Research has shown that stressful experiences may cause or trigger eating disorders, including losing a parent, changing school or entering care, traumatic events such as abuse, and poor self-esteem. Pressure for women to be slim, as portrayed by the media, may also be a factor.

The most common eating disorders are bulimia nervosa, anorexa nervosa and compulsive eating (also known as 'binge eating disorder').

Anorexia nervosa can develop in children as young as seven. It almost always begins with dieting and loss of weight continues beyond the normal weight limits for age and height. In some cases, extreme starvation and weight loss can lead to death.

Bulimia involves eating large amounts of food followed by self-purging (through inducing vomiting or taking large amounts of laxatives), strict dieting, fasting or vigorous exercise. Continuous bingeing and vomiting eventually does serious harm to the body.

Young people who eat compulsively may do so to comfort or distract themselves from difficult feelings. If this happens over a long period, they may become overweight or obese, leading to medical and emotional problems.

Eating disorders require specialist intervention, as they can be severe and life threatening if not successfully treated. According to the Eating Disorders Association, as many as one in five people with eating disorders will die prematurely.