Big surge in older callers to eating disorders helpline

There has been a huge increase in the number of older people contacting a helpline for eating disorders, it has emerged.

The Eating Disorders Association of Ireland — Bodywhys — found there was an 89% increase in helpline calls last year from adults aged 36 to 55.

Bodywhys said the support requests showed that the occurrence of eating disorders was not confined to teenagers. There was a 13% increase in calls from 15 to 18-year-olds affected by an eating disorder.