A person who is not eating enough may need help!

• People who have anorexia eat very little even though they are thin. They have an intense fear of body fat and weight gain.
• People with bulimia will get rid of food that they have just eaten by vomiting or taking laxatives or diuretics (water pills). They also have a fear of body fat even though their size or weight may be normal for them.
• Overexercising is when someone feels driven to exercise as a way to burn calories from food that she or he has just eaten. People with anorexia or bulimia may overexercise.

Your friend may need help if she or he is binge eating. Binge eating means eating large amounts of food in a short period of time, usually alone, without being able to stop when full. People with binge eating disorder do not try to get rid of the food they have eaten.

We all overeat sometimes- at parties, on holidays, or when we eat a favorite food. Students may eat a lot because they are growing and are very hungry. But your friend may have a problem if she or he feels out of control when overeating. People with binge eating disorder may feel disgusted with themselves or feel depressed or very guilty after overeating.

Your friend's health may be in danger!

• Not eating enough can make someone feel cold, tired, moody, or grumpy. Not eating can cause dry hair and skin, interfere with a girl's menstrual cycle, and weaken young people's bones.
• Vomiting can damage your throat and teeth, and using laxatives can hurt your intestines and other parts of your body.
• Binge eating can lead to obesity or being overweight.

In a calm and caring way, tell your friend what you saw or heard. Use "I" statements and let your friend know that you are concerned. Here are some suggestions:

• "I'm worried about you because you haven't eaten lunch this week."
• "I heard you talking about taking laxatives... (or diet pills) and that scares me."
• "Are you O.K.? Were you vomiting after lunch? I am concerned about you."

What your friend is doing is scary and unhealthy. Tell your friend that you care and that you her or him to get help. Encourage  your friend to talk to a grownup. Say you would be willing to go along to provide support.

Tell your friend that you want to keep your concern a secret. Your friend's health might be in danger. You may decide to tell your friend that you want to talk to a grownup about it.

Tell a grownup about your concern!

Being worried about your friend and wanting to help is a good thing. Consider telling your parents or your friend's parents, a teacher, or the school nurse or counselor what you know. Tell someone who will understand and can get help for your friend. It is not "tattling" or "ratting" on your friend if you are worried about her or his health.

Here are some suggestions of what to say:

• "I'm worried about _____ because I saw her (him) throw up on purpose/take a laxative/talk about taking diet pills/throw away her (his) lunch."
• "I'm concerned about _____ because she (he) always complains about being too fat/seems so sad/says she (he) never can do anything right."

Being healthy means accepting and nourishing your body. Someone who is not eating enough may need help.

You can't solve your friend's problems, but you can help. Honestly share your concerns and tell a grownup so your friend can get professional help if needed.

Knowing what your friend is doing and telling someone about it might be stressful for you. It is important to talk to someone, such as a counselor, school social worker, or school nurse about your experience with trying to help your friend.

You are doing the right thing. Others will be glad to know and want to help you as well.

Eating Disoreder Websites of Interest:

• Something Fishy
• ANAD
• EDAP
• Mirror-mirror