Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses; they are not a lifestyle choice. They can be characterised by a preoccupation with eating, exercise, and body weight or shape. Some thoughts and emotions about body image and self-worth can lead to major changes in eating and exercise behaviours. These behaviours may include excessive dieting, fasting, overexercising, using medications, vomiting or binge eating.
Eating disorders include anorexia, bulimia nervosa, and other binge eating disorders. Eating disorders affect females and males and can have serious psychological and physical consequences.
Other services
Click here for information about Barwon Health’s Eating Disorder Service.
Click here for community organisations that can provide support.
Resources
There are a number of resources available to assist:
- Better Health
- National Eating Disorders Collaboration
A National Collaboration that creates evidence for the way people living with an eating disorder can be supported; for people with lived experience, clinical services, researchers and those requiring impartial policy advice. - The Butterfly Foundation
Support for Australians experiencing eating disorders - Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders (CEED)|
A Victorian Government commitment to the provision of quality services to those with eating disorders and their families. The Centre has developed a range of programs for health professionals and people living with eating disorders.
Personal, social and environmental factors may alter an individual’s experience or perception of this information. A person’s culture, religion, spirituality or ancestral spirituality can influence how this information relates to your health & wellbeing, as well as your community.
Page last updated: September 25, 2024