Eating disorder helpline sees dramatic rise in callers

A helpline for people affected by eating disorders has seen a 30% jump in callers in the past year.

Bodywhys provides the service, and is highlighting the figures at the start of Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

An estimated 200,000 people around the country suffer from related problems.

Harriet Parsons from Bodywhys says there can be a common trigger among sufferers.

She said: "What you find is that there has been a situation that has happened in their life that for them, they have felt challenging, they need to have a strong sense of self.

"Then often what happens is that there is a crack in that, a faultline in their sense of self.

"The eating disorder comes in to build that up and gives them a sense of power, a sense of control."