Eating Problems
November 2009
Eating problems, like people, come in all different shapes and sizes. Your weight and body shape continually change as you grow and it's particularly important to have a varied, healthy diet to ensure that your body develops properly during your young and teenage years.
Sensible eating is always better than dieting. If you lose a lot of weight suddenly you are more likely to put it all on again. To control your weight, eat a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables; bread and pasta are also good for you but try to cut down on fatty and sugary foods.
Taking regular exercise can really help to keep your weight balanced, why not try walking to school or take up swimming which is an excellent way to stay fit and healthy as well.
At a time when most people seem to be concerned over their own body image, it can be difficult to know if a young person has an eating problem or disorder. There are some signs you can look out for and which should be taken seriously, they include:
If your weight is causing you problems and making you unhappy you can talk to your doctor or the nurse at the surgery, they can help you work out a healthy eating plan.
And here are some organisations that can help. B-EAT provide advice and support for anyone concerned about any eating disorder including anorexia and bulimia nervosa. If you're 25 or under, call the Beat Youthline on 0845 634 7650 (Monday - Friday 4.30 - 8.30pm, Saturday 1pm - 4.30pm). The Youthline TEXT service on 07786 20 18 20 will get back to you within 24 hours, longer at weekends.
There's a Youthline email service at fyp@b-eat.co.uk. Any concerned adults should call the Beat Helpline on 0845 634 1414 (Monday – Friday 10.30am - 8.30pm, Saturday 1 - 4.30pm) or you can check out their website which hosts a separate site for young people.
The National Centre for Eating Disorders provide private counselling for compulsive dieters and anyone with an eating disorder, including; obesity, anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. Call their information line 0845 838 2040 (Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm) or check out their website.
For information on eating well, taking control of your diet, and information on whether your over or under weight, go to the British Dietetic Association website.
You can read articles by experts, that may help you understand an eating disorder, at the website www.eatingdisorderexpert.co.uk.
NHS Direct have lots of useful information on healthy eating on their website. Go to www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk and put eating disorders in the search box.
The Site is a good place for young adults to turn to when you need support and guidance through life. The Site believes young people have the capacity to make their own decisions and life choices, provided they have access to high quality, impartial information and advice. You can ask The Site advisers questions of all kinds on relationships, health problems, arguments with your family and much more, just go to the website.
Young Minds offer information and support to young people and their parents on a range of mental health issues. They have some helpful booklets especially for young people on subjects such as self-injury, depression, sexual abuse, bullying and eating disorders. You can find these leaflets and other information on their website. You can also write to them for free copies with a stamped self-addressed envelope stating the subject you require information on to: Young Minds, 102-108 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5SA.
If you're a young person ChildLine provide free and confidential counselling for anyone up to the age of 18. Call 0800 11 11 (free, open 24 hours a day, every day). If you have difficulty in hearing or in using a regular phone try the textphone service on 0800 400 222. ChildLine phone lines can be very busy but do keep trying and you will get through. More information on the website.
Channel 4 Television takes no responsibility for the content of any third-party sites
Sensible eating is always better than dieting. If you lose a lot of weight suddenly you are more likely to put it all on again. To control your weight, eat a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables; bread and pasta are also good for you but try to cut down on fatty and sugary foods.
Taking regular exercise can really help to keep your weight balanced, why not try walking to school or take up swimming which is an excellent way to stay fit and healthy as well.
At a time when most people seem to be concerned over their own body image, it can be difficult to know if a young person has an eating problem or disorder. There are some signs you can look out for and which should be taken seriously, they include:
- Regularly skipping meals and obsessively counting calories.
- Eating only low calorie foods.
- Exercising obsessively.
- Disappearing immediately after a meal (in order to vomit).
- Dramatic weight loss or gain.
If your weight is causing you problems and making you unhappy you can talk to your doctor or the nurse at the surgery, they can help you work out a healthy eating plan.
And here are some organisations that can help. B-EAT provide advice and support for anyone concerned about any eating disorder including anorexia and bulimia nervosa. If you're 25 or under, call the Beat Youthline on 0845 634 7650 (Monday - Friday 4.30 - 8.30pm, Saturday 1pm - 4.30pm). The Youthline TEXT service on 07786 20 18 20 will get back to you within 24 hours, longer at weekends.
There's a Youthline email service at fyp@b-eat.co.uk. Any concerned adults should call the Beat Helpline on 0845 634 1414 (Monday – Friday 10.30am - 8.30pm, Saturday 1 - 4.30pm) or you can check out their website which hosts a separate site for young people.
The National Centre for Eating Disorders provide private counselling for compulsive dieters and anyone with an eating disorder, including; obesity, anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. Call their information line 0845 838 2040 (Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm) or check out their website.
For information on eating well, taking control of your diet, and information on whether your over or under weight, go to the British Dietetic Association website.
You can read articles by experts, that may help you understand an eating disorder, at the website www.eatingdisorderexpert.co.uk.
NHS Direct have lots of useful information on healthy eating on their website. Go to www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk and put eating disorders in the search box.
The Site is a good place for young adults to turn to when you need support and guidance through life. The Site believes young people have the capacity to make their own decisions and life choices, provided they have access to high quality, impartial information and advice. You can ask The Site advisers questions of all kinds on relationships, health problems, arguments with your family and much more, just go to the website.
Young Minds offer information and support to young people and their parents on a range of mental health issues. They have some helpful booklets especially for young people on subjects such as self-injury, depression, sexual abuse, bullying and eating disorders. You can find these leaflets and other information on their website. You can also write to them for free copies with a stamped self-addressed envelope stating the subject you require information on to: Young Minds, 102-108 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5SA.
If you're a young person ChildLine provide free and confidential counselling for anyone up to the age of 18. Call 0800 11 11 (free, open 24 hours a day, every day). If you have difficulty in hearing or in using a regular phone try the textphone service on 0800 400 222. ChildLine phone lines can be very busy but do keep trying and you will get through. More information on the website.
Channel 4 Television takes no responsibility for the content of any third-party sites
Bookmark and Share
Bookmark this page on Del.icio.us
Bookmark this page on Digg
Share this page on Facebook
Bookmark this page on Google Bookmarks
Share this page on MySpace
Bookmark this page on Reddit
Bookmark this page on StumbleUpon
Bookmark this page on Windows Live Favourites
Bookmark this page on Yahoo! Bookmarks
