Eating disorders are a way of coping with afflictive feelings they are unconscious attempts to avoid these feelings.

My view on the situation is that not enough people are informed about eating disorders. What people don’t seem to realise is that 5-10% of people with eating disorders are MALE. A man with an eating disorder! Is that possible? Well it seems that males are as susceptible to anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa as women. Issues that are problematic for women can also be for men. Many health professionals seem to be surprised or disbelieving of males with eating disorders.

Equality! What is equality? More information is given to women with eating disorders than a man is that equality? Today’s society is supposed to be equal, how can it be equal if people are being treated differently? We as a society should be aware of the problem that not enough people are being given information on eating disorders and its sufferers.

People with eating disorders are reluctant to seek help. They set high standards and are emotionally depressed. My main concern is that males with eating disorders are not being recognised.

Less money should be spent on pointless, unworthy projects such as the millennium dome and more money should be ploughed into training people to specialise in eating disorder help and treatment and more money for the sufferers and their relatives.

There are councils around the country who specifically deal with people with eating disorders should counselling be free? Yes is the answer. Without treatment 20% of people with eating disorders will die. You may think "oh well, 80% survive" but what if your son, daughter, brother or sister was one of the 20%. How would you cope?

Eating disorders are not just about food they are about feelings.

How are people treated in your country if they have eating disorders?

Bishop heber community school

Sian Davenport siany_babe2@hotmail.com