We all have different eating habits. Some days you might eat loads, and other days you might not feel as hungry. You might try to eat healthily sometimes and just indulge at others – that’s completely normal.
But if food or eating start to feel overwhelming or stressful, or begin to affect your thoughts, feelings or daily life, it could be a sign of an eating problem.
Eating problems are more common than you might think. They can affect anyone – no matter your body shape, gender, culture, background, or age. And it’s not just girls who can be affected – around a quarter of people diagnosed with eating disorders are male.
There isn’t one single cause of an eating problem. It often develops because of a mix of things. But here are a few possible triggers:
Everyone’s experience is different, but here are some possible signs that you might be struggling with food or eating:
You don’t have to look a certain way or have every one of these symptoms to have an eating problem. If you recognise yourself in any of these signs, speak to someone you trust or contact a helpline.
Not all eating problems are eating disorders. Lots of young people find themselves struggling with food for other reasons too.
For some people, eating becomes a way of coping with difficult feelings, stress or big changes. You might notice yourself eating less as a way to feel in control or eating more to manage emotions. Some people use food or restricting food as a type of self-harm. Others might find their eating is affected by another mental health condition, like anxiety, depression, OCD or trauma.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone and you still deserve support. We have lots of advice on different mental health conditions, situations and feelings in our guides.
If your eating problem has lasted a while or is affecting your everyday life, a doctor might diagnose you with an eating disorder. Here are some of the main types:
People with ARFID avoid or restrict certain foods. But unlike anorexia, they don’t necessarily do this to lose weight. Some common reasons why people with ARFID might limit their food intake are:
People with bulimia go through cycles of binge eating (eating large amounts of food quickly, often feeling out of control) and purging (trying to get rid of food by being sick, using laxatives, or over-exercising).
Bingeing and purging can feel like a way of dealing with difficult emotions or stress, but it can seriously damage your body. If you think you’re suffering from bulimia, it’s important to reach out for help.
Binge-eating disorder involves regularly eating large amounts of food very quickly and feeling unable to stop, even when you’re not hungry. People often feel guilt or shame afterwards.
Sometimes these binges can come out of the blue, but other times they’re planned, like if the person buys particular foods. Some people go to extreme lengths to get food, like eating food that’s been thrown away or isn’t theirs.
Unlike bulimia, people with binge-eating disorder don’t usually “purge” afterwards. This means they don’t try to get rid of the food in their body.
OSFED is a term for lots of different eating disorders. If you’re having problems eating but your symptoms don’t neatly fit with the symptoms of anorexia, bulimia or binge-eating disorder, you’ll likely be diagnosed with OSFED.
Here are some typical examples of OSFED:
Pica is when someone regularly eats things that aren’t food and have no nutritional value, like chalk, soap or dirt. Most people with pica eat regular food too but it can still be very dangerous so it’s important to reach out for help.
Some eating problems can become serious mental health conditions that need professional help to diagnose and treat. In very serious cases, and without the right kind of support and treatment, they can cause death. If you’re struggling with eating, speak to someone. Remember that struggling with food or your eating is never your fault and you deserve to get better.
Eating problems can become serious mental health conditions. But recovery is possible. The best thing you can do is reach out for help. Here are some steps you can take:
If you think you might have an eating disorder, talk to someone. This could be a friend, family member, teacher, faith leader or youth worker. They can help you start your journey to recovery.
Speaking to your GP can be scary, but they can help you get specialist support. They might offer you talking therapy or a refer you to an eating disorder service.
Keep in mind that the doctor might want to measure your weight. It’s okay to be nervous about this but remember they’re not going to judge you – they’re only doing it to help. You can ask not to see or be told your current weight if that makes things easier.
Sharing your experiences with others can help you feel less alone and encourage you to get better.
The Nest is an online peer support group run by Beat. It’s a safe, confidential space to share experiences with others who understand.
Sessions run every Tuesday from 6.45-7.45pm and you can attend as often or as little as you like.
Eating problems can affect anyone, whatever your background or culture. But the way we think about food, body image and mental health can be shaped by our families, faith, and community. And that can affect how we experience an eating problem.
In some cultures, food is an important part of family life and connection. If you start avoiding meals or eating differently, it might feel like you’re going against your culture or letting people down. In others, there can be pressure to look a certain way, or to stay silent about mental health struggles.
You might also face barriers to getting help, like worrying that professionals won’t understand your background or that people in your community won’t take you seriously. Everyone deserves support. Eating problems are real mental health conditions and getting help early can make a big difference.
Offers information and support for anybody affected by eating disorders.
One-to-one web chat available. They also run a range of online support groups, which are all fully moderated and anonymous.
Enter your postcode in the HelpFinder to see what eating disorder support is available in your area.
View their information on helpline accessibility and confidentiality.
Provides information about local counselling and advice services for young people aged 11-25.
Put in your location and what you need help with into their 'Find help' search, and see what services are available in your area.
This page was reviewed in December 2025.
It was co-created with young people with experience of eating problems.
We will next review the page in 2028.
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