Beat is the UK's eating disorder charity.
For support 👉 contact our Helpline via 0808 801 0677, email help
@beateatingdisorders
.org.uk or DM our socials.
We’re extremely disappointed that the government is making calories on menus mandatory in England from 6 April.
We know it causes anxiety for people affected by eating disorders.
We know it can increase fixations on restricting calories for anyone with anorexia or bulimia. 🧵
We know it can increase feelings of guilt for anyone with binge eating disorder.
And there’s very limited evidence that the legislation will improve our eating habits.
On multiple occasions, we called on the government to reconsider the impact this legislation will have on… 🧵
We are extremely disappointed that the Govt has continued with these plans, despite clear evidence it is ineffective and dangerous to people affected by eating disorders.
We urge parliamentarians to protect people with EDs and oppose this legislation.
#QueensSpeech
#MHAW
#Breaking
– Restaurants, cafes and pubs will be forced to put calorie counts for the food they serve on menus under government plans revealed in the Queen’s Speech.
In response to this
@BBCTwo
programme airing tonight we have decided to keep our online peer support group ‘The Sanctuary’ open until 11pm 🙌🏻
If you find this programme triggering & need support you can contact us via Twitter DM until 11pm 💜
#horizon
people with eating disorders. And we’ve asked them to take an evidence-based approach when creating health policies – which include consulting with eating disorder clinicians and experts by experience. 🧵
If you're living with an eating disorder, we recommend that you do not watch
#loseastonein21days
. Our services will be open until 11pm tonight for anyone affected. If you're affected by the programme, please chat to us on our website or DM us here! 💌
If you’re struggling to cope with the introduction of calories on menus, read our guide on dining out. You can also reach out for support 365 days a year through our Helpline, online support groups and web chat.
Our services have sadly been in high demand tonight due to BBC2 ‘The Restaurant that Burns Off Calories’
We’d really appreciate any support to ensure our services continue to help those affected by
#eatingdisorders
If you can please donate or retweet 🙏🏻
Calorie labelling on menus is ineffective, and dangerous to people affected by eating disorders.
We’ve drafted a letter asking your MP to oppose this legislation - take action here:
We are extremely disappointed that the Govt has continued with these plans, despite clear evidence it is ineffective and dangerous to people affected by eating disorders.
We urge parliamentarians to protect people with EDs and oppose this legislation.
#QueensSpeech
#MHAW
If you're living with an eating disorder, we recommend that you do not watch
#loseastonein21days
. Our services will be open until 11pm tonight, so if you're affected by the programme, please chat to us on our website or DM us here! 💌
You did it! We're pleased to announce that new measures have been introduced to prevent people who are under 18 and people who have a low BMI from using the NHS weight loss app.
Read more on this and what else we're campaigning for here:
We strongly discourage anyone with an
#eatingdisorder
to watch the BBC2 programme The Restaurant that Burns Off Calories airing tonight.
We’re keeping our online support group open 3 hours longer & you can contact us by DM on Twitter if you need support
It is completely unacceptable that the Prime Minister should resort to making fatphobic comments. It shows a clear lack of regard for, or understanding of the 1.25 million people in the UK affected by eating disorders, and we are extremely disappointed… 1/2
If you're seeing someone with an eating disorder after lockdown, avoid comments on their appearance or weight, or the difference between before and after lockdown. Be sure to also avoid talking about your own weight, diets or weight gain or loss during lockdown.
In response to a lockdown diet programme on Channel 4 tomorrow night (Wednesday 5th), our services will be open until 11pm for anyone who needs to chat
#EDsupport
#eatingdisorders
It’s very disappointing that the UK Parliament has just passed legislation introducing calorie labelling on menus.
However, we are very proud of the campaign we have run, and of all the campaigners who have been central to our
#PublicHealthNotPublicShaming
campaign.
Heads up gang 💜
Tonight,
@Channel4
is airing a documentary about Nikki Grahame.
Nikki was a beloved member of the community, but her story might be triggering if you’re struggling with an eating disorder. So we’d advise you not to watch it if you’re feeling unwell. 🧵
It is vital that children are not shamed into losing weight in an attempt to solve this. Join us to write to the Government and the PM about
#PublicHealthNotPublicShaming
here:
Should schools weigh pupils to make sure they shift the pounds they've put on during the lockdown?
Health experts want two weigh-ins in September and then in the spring to keep kids on track. But could this just create a generation of calorie counters?
#JeremyVine
It’s Eating Disorders Awareness Week!
34% of UK adults were unable to name any signs or symptoms of eating disorders. This lack of awareness leads to a three-and-a-half year gap between symptoms emerging and treatment being sought.
#WhyWait
#EDAW2018
Bulimia does not just mean vomiting, purging can also be over-exercising, fasting, taking laxatives or diuretics. Find out more about it here:
#FreddieFlintoff
#LivingWithBulimia
Nikki Grahame's death has shocked so many of us, and highlighted the problems that people with eating disorders face in navigating our healthcare system.
But there is still hope to change that, writes
@jamesldowns
:
There are many different eating disorders, including:
ARFID
anorexia
binge eating disorder
bulimia
OSFED (/EDNOS)
All eating disorders are valid, and all sufferers deserve support.
We wrote to Channel 4 as soon as we heard the programme was airing, they did not consult us on it. This was the week before it went out. We did not see or approve the programme before it aired last week. Read our full statement here ->
Channel 4 spoke to
@beatED
long before the programme went out & provided links on the support page before the first ep. More than 800 people who are overweight or obese have taken part in randomised clinical trials of the 800 calorie approach with striking improvements in health
“It is extremely disappointing that the Government have chosen to put at risk the health of people affected by eating disorders.” Andrew Radford, CEO
Beat urges the Government to immediately review the new anti-obesity measures. Read our statement here:
We love seeing posts for
#EDAW
of people sharing their story of living with an eating disorder. If you're planning to share yours, please consider how it might affect others, and avoid specific weights, amounts of food, specific habits, and before & after or lowest weight pics.
We offer support for anyone struggling with an eating disorder, or the people around them.
If you've been affected by yesterday's news, find out more about contacting our Helpline here:
#NikkiGrahame
Eating disorders are not a choice. They are serious mental illnesses, and often the person suffering does not believe that they are ill. It is not their fault that they have an eating disorder.
#EDMyths
#breakthestigma
#eatingdisorders
Say it with us:
YES, MEN GET EATING DISORDERS.
YES, MEN GET EATING DISORDERS.
YES, MEN GET EATING DISORDERS.
YES, MEN GET EATING DISORDERS.
YES, MEN GET EATING DISORDERS.
That’s it. That’s the post.
#HelpMenGetHelp
Myth: Eating disorders are a choice.
Fact: Eating disorders are complex illnesses – there is no single cause. Instead they are thought to be caused by a combination of biological, psychological, and sociocultural factors.
Eating disorders are mental health disorders.
It's
#EatingDisordersAwarenessWeeknext
week, 1-7 March!
Learn more about the week and how you can help raise awareness of these serious conditions here:
It's OK if you're feeling anxious about lockdown lifting.
It's a lot of change, and still a lot of uncertainty.
It's OK to take the next few weeks day by day.
We're seeing lots of talk in the media & social media around losing weight after lockdown.
Remember to take breaks from the news or social media if you feel like they are increasing your worries around food, weight and shape.
We have received over £400,000 from the Scottish Government to provide much needed support to young people, adults and their families coping with eating disorders across Scotland.
The Scottish government has announced that it will be delaying the proposed implementation of mandatory calorie labelling on menus until more evidence on the impacts of such measures has been properly established. 🧵 (1/5)
Tonight Channel 5 are airing an anorexia documentary which includes upsetting scenes, including discussion of anorexia behaviours and weight.
If you've been affected by an eating disorder, we'd advise caution as this may be distressing. We're here until midnight to support you.
It’s difficult for people with eating disorders to get better on their own so it’s important to get professional help as soon as possible. The sooner someone is treated, the better their chance of making a full recovery.
#FreddieFlintoff
@flintoff11
#LivingWithBulimia
Recovery is different for each and every person affected by an eating disorder - for some people it might mean having no eating disorder thoughts, but it can also be reducing and managing these thoughts and their impact on daily life.
Eating disorders often work to downplay your worries, or make you feel as though your experiences aren’t as serious as other people’s.
Your experiences are valid, and you deserve the support you need.
If you have a friend with an eating disorder, they may become withdrawn, and you may need to go to more effort than usual to make them feel included and stop them from isolating themselves.
Even if this happens, keep inviting them to join in.
The dangers of under 18s and people with a low BMI using the NHS weight loss app have been recognised and interventions have been put in place. Thank you to everyone who has helped to make this change! (1/2)
If you’ve been affected by BBC 2 ‘The Restaurant that Burns Off Calories’ tonight you can access support until 11pm via DM on Twitter or join the online support group The Sanctuary ⬇️
Supporting someone with an eating disorder can be really difficult, and can bring up emotions in you that are hard to manage.
It's OK to get help for yourself too.
that he has deemed this to be an appropriate response.
We would urge the Prime Minister to educate himself on the seriousness of these mental illnesses, and limit his comments of other MPs to their actions, not their appearances. 2/2
We're delighted that
#ChristopherEccleston
will be presenting a
#BBCLifeline
Appeal for
#Beat
on Sunday at 12:15 on
#BBCOne
. Please share with your friends and family to raise awareness that these deadly mental illnesses can affect anyone!
The news this week been tough, and it is ok if this has left you feeling overwhelmed or slightly down about the world. It is normal to feel anxious, worried, confused, angry or helpless. If this is you, here a few tips to help you cope:
This time of year tends to see so much talk of New Year's Resolutions, of diets and new exercise regimes which may be tiring or triggering to hear.
We've had enough pressure this year without putting extra pressure on ourselves.
If you need any support, please reach out to Beat.
Stereotypes prevent people from finding help. Stand with us to demand that anyone affected by an eating disorder is supported, no matter what their diagnosis, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, age or background.
#EDAW2019
#sockittoeatingdisorders
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses, and their causes are complex. Not all people with eating disorders struggle with body image, and not all people with eating disorders restrict their food intake
#eatingdisorders
#EDmyths
New early treatment to be rolled out for
#eatingdisorders
, reported in
@Independent
. This should lead to greater numbers of young people going on to live full and successful lives free of the illnesses:
Lockdown has been devastating for many people with eating disorders - we've seen a 300% increase in people contacting our Helpline.
@BBCNewsbeat
shares four people's experiences of anorexia in lockdown:
We recommend you don’t watch BBC2 The Restaurant that Burns Off Calories
Join our online support group ‘The Sanctuary’ instead - open until 11pm tonight for anyone affected by
#eatingdisorders
Join our Ambassador Emily now for support 💜
➡️
We know that things may feel uncertain right now and
#coronavirus
is causing a lot of stress and anxiety.
With the help of
#eatingdisorder
clinicians, we've put together guidance on our website to respond to the most common questions you may have. 👇
Binge eating disorder is a serious mental health condition, where people eat very large quantities of food without feeling like they’re in control of what they’re doing.
BED sufferers deserve treatment and respect.
"Thinness, in and of itself, is not a direct measure of success, acceptance or happiness. It seems that we have forgotten that thin doesn’t necessarily mean healthy."
People with binge eating disorder don’t binge because they enjoy it, they binge because they’re ill. It’s a serious, life-threatening illness and the chances are you know someone who’s struggling.
Do you know enough to spot the signs? Find out more:
Delighted to announce that we've created an education package on
#eatingdisorders
for medical schools and foundation training programmes, in collaboration with
@NHS_HealthEdEng
&
@rcpsychEDFac
and supported by
@gmcuk
It's free and available now here:
"Being a man with an eating disorder can be especially isolating and lonely, because you don't hear or see other people like you talking about experiences you're going through."
Fantastic article featuring
@jamesldowns
on the
@flintoff11
doc:
Once again, our Helpline services will stay open until 11pm tonight, in order to support anyone affected by a
#loseastonein21days
on Channel 4
#EDsupport
Eating disorders receives less than 1% of mental health research funding globally.
Help us develop an action plan for eating disorders research to get the funding it needs:
We don't encourage anyone currently unwell to watch the documentary as it contains open discussion of eating disorder behaviours.
Our email, webchat and social inboxes will be open tonight until 11pm, or join us in the Sanctuary at 9.
Join our campaign here to ensure the govt anti-obesity strategy views obesity as a complex interaction between multiple factors, does not promote crash diets and is informed by ED & obesity experts
#loseastonein21days
#PublicHealthNotPublicShaming
What can I say to someone who's experiencing an eating disorder?
☀️ I know it's difficult, but I'm proud of you.
☁️ I'm here for you and I'm not going to leave.
☂️ How are you?
❤️ I might not understand but if you need someone to talk to, I will help as much as I can.
We're pleased to see stricter controls being taken in the UK on the sale of laxatives, as many young
#eatingdisorder
sufferers have previously bought them over the counter:
Christmas can be a difficult time for anyone with an eating disorder. Our new guidance is here to help you plan for and manage the holidays.
Read our guide to Christmas with an eating disorder here:
One in fifty of us will experience binge eating disorder in our lifetime. It is the most common but least understood eating disorder. Help start the conversation this Eating Disorders Awareness Week by sharing our campaign video –
#YouMightKnowMe
If you're worried about a pupil or a loved one, please use our guidance on spotting the signs of an eating disorder and get help as soon as possible
#JeremyVine
Should schools weigh pupils to make sure they shift the pounds they've put on during the lockdown?
Health experts want two weigh-ins in September and then in the spring to keep kids on track. But could this just create a generation of calorie counters?
#JeremyVine
We know lots of you were disappointed by Channel 4's decision to air
#loseastonein21days
last night. We kept our Helpline open late to help people affected, but we couldn't run our services without your support. Please give what you can: