Few able to name signs of eating disorders

A charity has expressed concern that many adults are unable to name any signs or symptoms of eating disorders other than weight loss or being thin.

Beat said it is important that people recognise the early signs of eating disorders and understand they occur across the weight spectrum, with many people remaining at a normal weight or even gaining weight.

For those who do lose weight, it is only a physical sign that appears once the mental illness is ingrained, it added.

The charity warned that lack of awareness of the early signs of an eating disorder can lead to delayed treatment and increased risk of the illness becoming more severe.

Other indicators include excessive exercise, hoarding or hiding food, hair loss, constipation, fatigue and rapid changes of mood, the charity said.

Beat is calling on the Government and NHS to extend their focus on early intervention and support measures, to increase awareness of the early signs and symptoms.

It commissioned a poll which found that more than a third (34%) of adults were unable to name any signs or symptoms at all.

The survey, which questioned more than 2,000 adults in the UK, also found that of those who gave a correct answer, three out of five (62%) gave weight loss or being thin as a sign over any other.

The findings are being released to mark the beginning of Eating Disorders Awareness Week.