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There is a storyline in Hollyoaks based on Hannah and Melissa's experiences of an eating disorder.
In association with beat, a charity that provides information, help and support for people affected by eating disorders, we asked you what you thought of our portrayal of this and how such issues affect you and those around you.
Our survey received over 30,000 entries, which is absolutely amazing! Thank you to everyone who took part. We've looked through your entries – and here are the results...
In association with beat, a charity that provides information, help and support for people affected by eating disorders, we asked you what you thought of our portrayal of this and how such issues affect you and those around you.
Our survey received over 30,000 entries, which is absolutely amazing! Thank you to everyone who took part. We've looked through your entries – and here are the results...
Hannah's relationships
Hannah became best friends with Melissa who herself had an eating disorder, and most of you thought that Hannah wouldn't have been so ill if it weren't for her friendship with Melissa (73%).
Hannah's friends were concerned about Hannah, but few confronted her about her eating. In fact, nearly 3 in 5 of you thought that Hannah's friends should have been more forthright with Hannah (59%).
In Hollyoaks, John Paul was blamed for Hannah's eating disorder because he broke up with her. Most of you didn't think that this was true – 54% thought that it had nothing to do with her eating disorder. But some of you thought that it was part of the reason Hannah became unwell (21%).
And over 3 in 5 of you thought that Suzanne (Hannah's mum) should have noticed Hannah's illness sooner, because she is a nurse (61%).
Hannah's friends were concerned about Hannah, but few confronted her about her eating. In fact, nearly 3 in 5 of you thought that Hannah's friends should have been more forthright with Hannah (59%).
In Hollyoaks, John Paul was blamed for Hannah's eating disorder because he broke up with her. Most of you didn't think that this was true – 54% thought that it had nothing to do with her eating disorder. But some of you thought that it was part of the reason Hannah became unwell (21%).
And over 3 in 5 of you thought that Suzanne (Hannah's mum) should have noticed Hannah's illness sooner, because she is a nurse (61%).
Eating disorders and Hollyoaks
Most of you thought that Hollyoaks was a good programme to raise issues about eating disorders.
Nearly three quarters (70%) thought that Hollyoaks portrayed an honest account of a young person with an eating disorder, and three in five thought that the Hannah and Melissa storyline helped people understand about eating problems (60%).
And 82% of you thought that Hollyoaks was the right programme to raise awareness of eating disorders.
Nearly three quarters (70%) thought that Hollyoaks portrayed an honest account of a young person with an eating disorder, and three in five thought that the Hannah and Melissa storyline helped people understand about eating problems (60%).
And 82% of you thought that Hollyoaks was the right programme to raise awareness of eating disorders.
Body image, exercise and food
We asked you to tell us about your opinions on your appearance, exercise and food. And some of you told us that you felt pressure to look a certain way.
Over 2 in 5 of you regularly exercise (44%), with only 15% have no exercise at all. Over a quarter of you under the age of 15 exercise every day.
Most of you have been on a diet – nearly two thirds (62%), and 65% feel guilty about your eating. Of the people who said they were unhappy about their appearance, 90% said that they felt guilty about eating.
One third (33%) of you are happy with the way you look, but 38% of you are unhappy with the way you look. In fact, a quarter of all the responses said they were really unhappy with the way they look (25%), and two in five are actually bullied because of their appearance (43%).
We asked you to say what your favourite and least favourite body parts are. The ones most of you said are below:
Over 2 in 5 of you regularly exercise (44%), with only 15% have no exercise at all. Over a quarter of you under the age of 15 exercise every day.
Most of you have been on a diet – nearly two thirds (62%), and 65% feel guilty about your eating. Of the people who said they were unhappy about their appearance, 90% said that they felt guilty about eating.
One third (33%) of you are happy with the way you look, but 38% of you are unhappy with the way you look. In fact, a quarter of all the responses said they were really unhappy with the way they look (25%), and two in five are actually bullied because of their appearance (43%).
We asked you to say what your favourite and least favourite body parts are. The ones most of you said are below:
| Favourite body parts |
Least favourite body parts |
| eyes (41%) | stomach (44%) |
| hair (26%) | legs (26%) |
| legs (17%) | thighs (17%) |
| boobs (14%) | bottom (14%) |
| smile/mouth (11%) | boobs (14%) |
beat
A spokesman for beat said, "We have been very impressed with the way Hollyoaks handled such a sensitive issue which affects so many young people nowadays.
"The results of this survey serve to illustrate how important it is to impress upon the fashion and media industries that their actions, by continuously paying homage to the so-called ideal body image, affect young people and especially vulnerable ones in their early teens.
"It is only by these industries adopting a more measured and realistic approach that young people will feel comfortable with themselves and appreciate that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes."
"The results of this survey serve to illustrate how important it is to impress upon the fashion and media industries that their actions, by continuously paying homage to the so-called ideal body image, affect young people and especially vulnerable ones in their early teens.
"It is only by these industries adopting a more measured and realistic approach that young people will feel comfortable with themselves and appreciate that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes."
About beat
beat is a national charity based in the UK providing information, help and support for people affected by eating disorders and, in particular, anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
If you'd like to know more about beat, what they do and how they can help, visit beat's website.
beat
beat is a national charity based in the UK providing information, help and support for people affected by eating disorders and, in particular, anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
If you'd like to know more about beat, what they do and how they can help, visit beat's website.
beat
Eating Disorder Help
Channel 4 has a special Health website to support the eating disorder storylines in Hollyoaks. It has more information on eating problems and how to find help.
Health: Eating Disorders
Channel 4 has a special Health website to support the eating disorder storylines in Hollyoaks. It has more information on eating problems and how to find help.
Health: Eating Disorders
Helplines
You can also call a 24-hour recorded information line about eating problems on 08456 041 444. For more information about Channel 4 Helplines, please visit the Helpline website.
Channel 4 Helplines
You can also call a 24-hour recorded information line about eating problems on 08456 041 444. For more information about Channel 4 Helplines, please visit the Helpline website.
Channel 4 Helplines
Channel 4 is not responsible for the content in external websites.
