The most common eating disorders are anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In both these conditions, people rely on control of their food and eating as a way of coping with emotional difficulties. It's important to remember that people with eating disorders often have a normal bodyweight, and the condition can go unnoticed for a long time.

People with anorexia nervosa (or just 'anorexia') don't eat enough. They think their problems are caused by how they look, and believe they are fat even though other people can see that they're not. Sometimes they exercise obsessively, or use vomiting and laxatives to reduce their weight. Their mood can get very low, and in women, menstrual cycles can be affected.  As well as general lack of nourishment, a range of specific health problems can follow, including poor circulation, brittle bones and hair loss and even kidney disease.

Bulimia nervosa (or just 'bulimia') is actually more common than anorexia. In bulimia, people often have an obsession with weight and shape, and they tend to binge. This is followed by panic, which means that people then go on to starve themselves, make themselves sick, take laxatives or over-exercise. Physical problems like tooth decay, constipation and damage to the intestines can follow.

Some people with anorexia or bulimia make elaborate meals for other people, but avoid eating in company.  They can also become obsessive about the content of foods, and rush to the loo after a meal.

Anorexia and bulimia are serious conditions, but with the right help and support - often from family and friends as well as professionals - people can address the underlying issues and get back to a more balanced relationship with their bodies and with food.

It's estimated that up to 1% of women aged 15-30 suffer from anorexia, 2% from buliminia and up to 15% have some form of 'binge eating'. A much smaller, but growing, number of men and boys are also affected.