Bath Uni student at House of Commons

A 21-year-old University of Bath student has told of her battle with eating disorders at a special reception in the House of Commons.

Katie Waters [pictured], who is recovering from anorexia and bulimia, spoke out in front of 50 people, including MPs, doctors, health specialists and families affected by eating disorders at the launch of an Action Month by the national charity Anorexia and Bulimia Care.

Katie told how pressure over her GCSE’s when she was 15 along with poor self image led her to develop an eating disorder. She told her personal story at the reception hosted by Wells MP Tessa Munt and with guest speaker Dr Dee Dawson, a specialist in childhood eating disorders, who for over 20 years ran a London in-patient clinic for children and adolescents with severe eating disorders.

Tessa Munt said:

“So many young lives are lost through the affects of eating disorders and it is time this issue was taken more seriously and recognised for what it is – a serious mental health problem in our society that needs to be addressed. During this month of action we want to raise awareness but also see some real changes in attitude and improvements in care.” 

Anorexia and Bulimia Care, set up 23 years ago to provide advice and support to people affected by eating disorders, organised the special reception in the House of Commons. They say eating disorders are too-often portrayed as extreme dieting and only affecting teenage girls. In fact people of all ages can develop eating disorders often leading to death or suicide. The impact goes beyond the individual with parents, siblings, the wider family, friends and teachers all affected by the physical and emotional consequences of these illnesses.

The Action Month will be an annual event and aims to equip MPs and health professionals with insight from recovered sufferers and family, with whom they can speak, face to face. Latest figures show hospital admissions for eating disorders rose by 16% from last year to 2,288. Eating disorders have the highest mortality rates of any mental illness, at around 20%.

A petition has been launched to encourage more resources to be put into caring for people who develop eating disorders. It can be accessed here www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk.