Bodyshock

If your weight is causing you problems and making you unhappy you can talk to your doctor or practice nurse about the best way to tackle it and about anything else that's worrying you.

Information on healthy eating is available from NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. Alternatively, check out their website at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.

You can also get useful information from the British Nutrition Foundation. Their website at www.nutrition.org.uk is tailored to people of all ages from pregnancy to old age.

If you would prefer to talk to someone not known to you, details of organisations follow.

BEAT (www.b-eat.co.uk) provides advice and support for anyone concerned about any eating disorder including anorexia and bulimia nervosa. If you're 18 or under, call the Beat Youthline 0845 634 7650 (local rate, Monday - Friday 4.30pm - 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. Adults including parents, teachers or any concerned adults should call the Beat Helpline on 0845 634 1414 (local rate, Monday - Friday 10.30am - 8.30pm, Saturday 1 - 4.30pm) or you can check out the website which hosts a separate site for young people.

Overeaters Anonymous offers support and advice to people with all kinds of eating problems. You can call their 24-hour answerphone for a list of local support groups on free number 07000 784 985. If you go to their website www.oagb.org.uk you'll find information on the organisation and full list of meetings in the UK.

First Steps to Freedom runs a helpline for anyone experiencing anxiety problems including anorexia and bulimia. The services they offer include counselling, advice, free information pack as well as leaflets and booklists. You can contact the helpline on 0845 120 2916 (every day 10am-10pm). They have a website at www.first-steps.org.

The International Size Acceptance Association (ISAA) aims to promote an acceptance of self and others without regard to weight or body size. For more information their very positive website is at www.size-acceptance.org.

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. Check out their website at www.eating-disorders.org.uk.