Eating Disorders

There are many types of eating disorder and the term covers a wide range of mental health problems associated with food - including restrictive eating and bingeing with or without compensatory behaviours such as purging or excessive exercise. There is also a huge spectrum of severity, ranging from an unhelpful and distressing relationship with food through to severe mental illness that can be life threatening.

Eating disorders can affect anyone, although more commonly start in adolescence or early adulthood and are more common in women. There are many causes and all people with eating disorders have their own unique story behind their symptoms. For Christians suffering from eating disorders - active faith, involvement in a supportive and loving church community, together with treatment in a healthcare setting, can make a real difference and help towards recovery.

-- Read this introductory article
-- Listen to this talk from ABC, the main christian eating disorders charity
-- Read this article about fasting (a common christian discipline) and eating disorders
-- See this book review about 'Starved' by Nancy Alcorn
-- See this book review about 'Beyond Chaotic Eating' by Helena Wilkinson