Latest news with #eatingdisorder
Daily Mail
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hollyoaks actress Stephanie Waring discusses being stuck in an 'endless loop' with bulimia during decades-long battle
Hollyoaks star Stephanie Waring discussed being stuck in an 'endless loop' with bulimia during her decades-long battle. The actress, 47, who played Cindy Cunningham on the soap, has struggled with the eating disorder since she was a teenager. She opens up about her experience in her new memoir Breaking the Script and further explained bulimia during an appearance on Girls Next Door Podcast. Speaking to hosts Wallis Day and Francesca Allen, Stephanie said: 'With bulimia your body is fighting for something and a lot of the time that's food so if your restricting something you end up binging out 'You could be having the best day ever then you might find yourself home alone and you might grab something to eat and if it's out of your window or your plan or something it's like a trigger almost. 'Your body is craving so much food but then you have to get rid of it all because there is this guilt.' Stephanie continued: 'I feel like it's the control aspect but your body is trying to survive all the time and when you don't give it balance it's trying to reach for the nearest thing and more often tan not it's sugar, it's glucose. 'All the sweet things come into play and that's how you lose yourself that's how you get trapped in this cycle loop and it's really hard to get out of.' It comes as Stephanie recalled 'hysterically crying, shaking and begging' when she was sacked from Hollyoaks. The actress starred in the Cheshire soap on Channel 4 for 28 years from 1996 to 2024. Hollyoaks was hit by stringent budget cuts last year and cut down from five to three instalments a week, letting go of staff too. Stephanie's character, Cindy Cunningham, was axed by bosses and she has delved into how she reacted in her book, Breaking The Script. She recalled how she had a meeting with two producers who broke the news to her by reading a written statement. The actress described how she struggled to process what was being said to her and as it sank in, she felt emotional at the departure of her beloved character. She said: 'That's how you lose yourself that's how you get trapped in this cycle loop and it's really hard to get out of' She wrote, 'But as the statement neared its close, before the final words were even spoken, I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I was shaking as I looked at the two of them.' 'Then it happened. 'And with that said, we will be losing Cindy from the show. I'm so sorry, Steph.' The world stopped for a second as I replayed those words in my head. Then… I lost my s***.' She was particularly heartbroken that her staple character would not be featuring in the big anniversary special. Stephanie went on to write, 'What? No! You mean you're not taking me to the 30th?' I blurted out, referencing the upcoming anniversary of the show – a milestone that meant so much to the long-standing cast. 'I don't understand. No, I don't understand. I don't understand!' I was frantic. 'But I've been so loyal. Please, no. This is my life. I love my job – please, no!' She described how she was 'hysterically crying' and added: 'I repeated myself, hoping one of them would see my distress and take it all back. Had they made a mistake? My world felt like it was imploding.' She described how she struggled to process what was being said to her and as it sank in, she felt emotional at the departure of her beloved character She signed her new contract which started from April 27 and her character departed in July. However, the short notice made her feel like she 'had swallowed a grenade' and she admitted to 'a few expletives rolling off my tongue like bullets'. Afterwards, she ran out of the room and found comfort from Kirsty Leigh Porter and Jennifer Metcalfe, who starred as Leela Dexter and Mercedes McQueen in the show. Since leaving the soap, Stephanie has gone on to become a 'certified mind-body coach', according to her social media. Her new book, Breaking The Script, was released in June.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Twenty new beds to tackle 33% rise in eating disorder referrals
A total of 20 new specialist eating disorder beds will be opened around the country, under new plans being devised by the Health Service Executive to cope with growing demand for services. More than 500 people in Ireland were diagnosed with an eating disorder last year – more than 100 cases more than in 2023. There were also 894 referrals for treatment, up 33 per cent on the previous year. Currently, the State has just three public inpatient eating disorder beds for adults who are acutely unwell, all of which are in St Vincent's hospital in Dublin. To be treated in these beds, patients are required to fall within the catchment area of the hospital. People with eating disorders outside of this catchment order who go into public hospitals for treatment are typically referred to a general psychiatric unit, where they often are unable to access specialised care. READ MORE The HSE has begun a review of the model of care for eating disorders on a phased basis. Its first report on future eating disorder bed provision has been finalised and was recently submitted to the Minister for Health. The Irish Times understands that the plan sets out a need for between eight and 10 specialist beds in Dublin, as well as between 10 and 12 specialist beds outside of the capital, with a national spread. All of these beds will have a national catchment area. Under the proposals, these beds will be specialised for eating disorder treatment. However as demand for such services ebbs and flows, they will also be used for other psychiatric illnesses, The Irish Times understands. These beds will mostly be new provision in new units, with their establishment to take place over a number of years. However, there is potential for interim plans to increase provision until the planned number is up and running. This is not the first time such a move was proposed. Under the previous model of care, an additional 20 eating disorder beds were to be opened between 2018 and 2023, however no funding was allocated and the beds were never opened. Harriet Parsons, chief executive of BodyWhys, the national eating disorder association, says in recent years work has been on developing the community services, but inpatient beds are also required – particularly outside of Dublin. 'We need to make sure that geographical spread is there so that it doesn't matter where you are in the country, you will have access to the same kind of services,' she said. 'People who require inpatient care, they are acutely unwell. They don't come out of hospital better; they come out of hospital well enough to start the real process of getting better in the community.' She added: 'You don't want to have a huge difference between that inpatient stay and going out [into the community]. It is much more likely they will struggle to improve. That is the story that is repeated over and over again.' Meanwhile, a recent report from the Health Research Board found eating disorders were the main reason why children were admitted to psychiatric hospitals and units last year for the second year in a row. Just over a quarter (26 per cent) of children admitted had a primary diagnosis of an eating disorder, up from 24 per cent the previous year. There has been a gradual increase in the percentage of child admissions being linked to eating disorders, rising from 18 per cent in 2020 to 26 per cent last year. The researchers conducted a 'census night' on December 31st, 2024, which found there were 52 patients in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services , of whom 38 per cent had an eating disorder.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
RHOC's Emily Simpson Responds to Critics Who Blame Her for Son's Eating Disorder
has had her share of hateful comments online. But trolls hit a new low when they suggested that the star's weight loss journey played a role in her son's eating disorder. In recent years, Emily adhered to a fitness regime and surgery that resulted in noticeable weight loss. During the RHOC Season 19 premiere, Emily revealed that her ten-year-old son Luke was diagnosed with ARFID, or avoidant restrictive food intake disorder. Since then, she and husband Shane Simpson have been on a journey to figure out what's best for their son. And hurtful comments have no place in the plan. Emily Simpson explains why son's eating disorder is different to body image issues 'I have to say, I've had some people say negative things about the eating disorder, and they'll make a correlation between me having surgery or me losing weight,' Emily exclusively told Us Weekly. 'This has nothing to do with a child wanting to lose weight or having a body image. This is a neurodivergent disorder that has to do with his brain and how he operates.' She further clarified that Luke's diagnosis 'has nothing to do with me and losing weight or gaining weight.' There are aspects of ARFID that are less clear currently. Emily admitted that she is still looking for answers. 'We definitely know that he has ARFID. The ARFID has a lot of symptoms that overlap with autism,' she explained. 'We did take him to a specialist to be tested. He did some very extensive testing that comes up later in the season. I'm still not really clear on a lot of things.' Thankfully, the RHOC star has gotten more online support than anything. Emily is part of several parental support groups of children with ARFID. Catch The Real Housewives of Orange County Thursdays at 9/8c on Bravo. It streams on Hayu in the UK and Ireland. TELL US – WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE TROLLING? WHAT DO YOU THINK OF EMILY'S RESPONSE? The post RHOC's Emily Simpson Responds to Critics Who Blame Her for Son's Eating Disorder appeared first on Reality Tea.
News.com.au
15-07-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Fitness coach exposes 5 fitness industry secrets
It seems that Instagram nowadays is flooded with ripped physiques and TikTok is full of 'What I eat in a day' videos. As a result, the impact of fitness influencers on Aussies' eating habits and body image has never been stronger. Recent research from The Butterfly Foundation revealed that 59 per cent of Australians say diet and fitness content on social media affects how they see themselves, while 63 per cent admit to comparing their appearance to what they see online. But behind the aspirational, time-stamped videos showing 'A day on my plate,' experts warn of a darker side to this wellness wave – one that encourages disordered eating, confusion, and unattainable ideals. Here are five little-known secrets about the fitness industry that experts want you to know. 1. 'Clean eating' and 'diet resets' are often restriction in disguise The language people use to talk about dieting is constantly evolving, and there are some common phrases gaining popularity that you should be aware of, as they might not mean exactly what they suggest. According to eating disorder therapist Jaime Dimarco, 'Using the term 'clean eating,' 'healthy eating,' and 'diet reset' are just more acceptable ways creators let their followers know they are heavily restricting their intake because they have body image issues'. While an influencer's fans might look to their diets for inspiration, Ms Dimarco says that behind the scenes, many 'have hormone issues, are malnourished and struggle with a silent eating problem'. Ms Dimarco, who has been an eating disorder therapist and recovery coach for five years, says that any diet where specific foods are completely avoided (unless for medical reasons) is simply 'fearmongering'. She points out that frequent and public vilification of certain food groups – such as carbs, meat, sugar, and fat – can contribute to widespread disordered eating. 'The truth is, no foods can actually cause health issues on their own … excessive amounts consumed can (just like anything in life),' she explains. Melissa Wilton, Head of Communications and Engagement at the Butterfly Foundation, echoes this, saying that such messaging 'can have a negative impact on our body image and relationships to food, eating, and exercise, because these posts invite comparison, and many people feel guilt or shame if their own intake or exercise regimes doesn't match up'. Certain wellness trends, she explains, are often 'diet culture in disguise' and can promote the idea that a smaller body weight and size equals health, with food being categorised as 'good' and 'bad'. This, in turn, can perpetuate the harmful 'thin ideal,' fatphobia, weight stigma, body dissatisfaction, and a disordered relationship with food. 'Dieting is the most common form of disordered eating, and the act of starting any diet increases the risk of an eating disorder developing in young people by five times,' she says. 2. Supplement promotions often focus solely on profit Scroll through any fitness influencer's page, and you'll likely see discount codes for supplements promising miraculous results. But nutritionist and qualified online coach Max Dimarco (who is married to Ms Dimarco and whose businesses work closely together) urges people to look beyond the tempting deals. 'Many influencers promoting supplements, especially those with larger followings, do so for commission on each sale, not because they genuinely care or even understand what they are promoting,' Mr Dimarco, who has 13 years in the industry, says. 'There is no such thing as a fat-burning supplement. It's just an appetite suppressant, typically triggered by caffeine. Yes, a long black could do the same.' He adds that top-tier influencers are often paid significant sums upfront to promote certain supplement brands, while micro-influencers might do it for free products and the validation of being associated with well-known brands. 'Most of these influencers couldn't tell you what's in the supplement or its supposed benefits,' he claims. 'They post the script provided for a video but are easily exposed when replying to followers' comments.' 3. Yes, many people still heavily edit their photos Even those who seemingly 'have it all' feel pressured to edit their images, Ms Dimarco reveals – even in a world where people are more aware than ever of photo editing. She explains, 'The need to edit photos usually comes from body dysmorphia or the desire to keep up with other influencers who also edit their images. 'It is so accessible now, and because technology is so advanced, an image can be enhanced within seconds. Many influencers have become so skilled at editing that their followers can't even tell the difference.' However, this illusion may drive followers, often young and impressionable girls, to adopt overly restrictive diets in an attempt to reach the same standards as their favourite influencer. 4. Not all coaches are qualified to give nutrition advice The online coaching industry is booming, but Mr Dimarco warns that many have limited credentials. 'Many give out personalised nutrition advice to clients without the proper qualifications, which is actually illegal,' he explains. 'A coach offering nutrition coaching or meal plans must be registered as a qualified Nutritionist or Dietitian. Most coaches out there don't have these qualifications.' He advises to watch out for red flags, such as generic meal plans, calorie targets, or strict restrictions, and to always verify a coach's credentials before committing. Also, if a coach provides nutritional advice without asking about your menstrual cycle, digestive health, hydration, or mental health related to training and eating, Mr Dimarco says to steer clear. 'They are neither qualified nor educated enough to give health advice,' he warns. 'This can lead to hormone issues, eating disorders, and toxic habits.' 5. Performance-enhancing supplements are widespread The myth of a 'natural' transformation is everywhere but may be seriously misleading, as many fitness influencers secretly use performance-enhancing substances. Mr Dimarco says, 'It's more common than most realise. I'd estimate over 90 per cent of popular fitness influencers use them. 'What was once considered a very 'taboo' subject is now becoming normal.' He says there is an increasing number of women using these substances, who claim their results are just due to standard supplements. 'There are many female influencers promoting their body changes as 'hard work' or because they started taking creatine. I've been in the industry long enough to see the signs from a mile away,' he reveals. 'When you see someone with a dramatic transformation in a short time – especially a huge change in their glute to waist ratio – it's obvious. 'This is often accompanied by skin issues like severe acne or a deepening voice.' The hidden use of these enhancements worsens the already unrealistic standards in the fitness community.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
You Need To Avoid Saying These Seemingly Harmless Phrases To Someone You're Dining With
Related: 'You just always have to be healthy.' A former co-worker used to snarkily say this to me at every group work meal whenever I ordered a salad or something else vegetarian, which I was at the time. She always said it in a way that suggested she perceived what was on my plate as an insult to whatever she ate. It wasn't, of course. Her constant comments about what I ate usually led others in the group to laugh and ask me dozens of questions about my meals. Why was I eating this and not that? Was I on a diet? All the questioning and talk about what I ate for lunch made me so self-conscious that I skipped these group lunches whenever possible. The habit of commenting on what others eat is common, said Heather Baker, a licensed clinical social worker and founder of Prosperity Eating Disorders and Wellness Center in Herndon, Virginia. 'It's a way to forge a connection with someone else,' Baker said. 'Food is this universal commonality that we share, so it's only natural that we have this desire to comment on it.' But doing so can be harmful, she added. 'Comments about food and eating can be difficult for someone with an eating disorder or someone who is anxious about eating with others,' Dr. Evelyn Attia, a psychiatrist and director of the Center for Eating Disorders at New York-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health, told HuffPost. Attia said these remarks — even if they're well-meaning — can make some people feel judged, shamed and self-conscious. Experts say when in doubt, it's best to avoid commenting on what others eat. Here's why, which statements are especially harmful, and what to do if you often hear these types of comments. Why You Shouldn't Comment On What Others Eat Related: The simple answer: You never know what someone else is going through and why they're eating what they're eating, Brittney Lauro, lead therapist at eating disorder treatment platform Equip, told HuffPost. Someone could be dealing with or recovering from an eating disorder, for example, and Lauro said remarking on how healthy they're eating or that they're 'being good' by eating vegetables could come across as praise for their condition. People might also have health conditions where dietary changes, such as giving up gluten or going plant-based, are necessary, explained Melissa Preston, a licensed professional counselor, registered dietitian and co-founder at Omni Counseling and Nutrition in Denver, Colorado. Beyond health, people from different cultures may have experienced shaming around what they eat in the past, and comments can cause these feelings to resurface, Preston added. The bottom line is, Baker said, 'There's no way of knowing how someone will interpret a comment about food, even if there are good intentions behind it.' 6 Things You Should Never Say To People You're Dining With While Lauro said she believes most comments about what others eat are well-meaning, she said, generally, it's best to avoid remarking on it. Here are some phrases that you should never say to the people you're dining with: Pointing out how you avoid eating whatever is on someone's plate, for whatever reason, could make them feel shamed, Preston said. It also reinforces diet culture and can seem like you're comparing your body to theirs, Baker added, especially if you say something like, 'I could never eat that much sugar, or I'd gain weight.' Statements like this can make someone feel judged about their eating choices, Attia said. Also, avoid commenting on your own plate size or fullness—'I ate too much,' for instance — which might make someone feel self-conscious about what they ate, Baker said. Avoid labeling foods as 'good' or 'bad' or 'healthy' or 'unhealthy,' Lauro said. For example, if you say, 'Isn't that unhealthy to eat for breakfast,' it could foster a sense of shame and be triggering for some people. She emphasized the 'all foods fit' concept, meaning there's room for all foods in someone's diet. 'Nothing's off limits unless, of course, you have a food allergy,' she said. Related: Healthy food concept 'Never comment on how food is going to affect someone's body,' such as gaining or losing weight, Preston said. On the flip side, avoid talking negatively about your own appearance in relation to what you eat in the presence of others, Lauro added. 'I live by a phrase that I often hear in my field: 'My appearance is the least interesting thing about me,'' Lauro said. 'There's so many more topics that we can cover.' This might sound like a compliment, but Baker said it could be misinterpreted by someone with an eating disorder as implying that they gained weight, which can 'start a spiral of negative self-talk.' She said, 'Instead, do comment on the aspects of the person's personality or self-hood that you are noticing more and are grateful to reconnect with.' This is a tricky one. In some cases, it could be harmless. But Preston said some people, especially those in eating disorder recovery, don't want any attention drawn to their meals. 'Letting someone know that their food looks delicious can be experienced as a message that suggests they are indulging in their choice of food or not valuing health in their food choices,' Attia said. How To Respond To What Others Say About What Eat Related: If you hear these kinds of comments often and they bother you, Attia suggested developing a strategy for responding and coping. This might differ depending on your relationship with the person and how comfortable you feel addressing remarks head-on. First, avoid agreeing with the commentator and joining in labeling foods or discussing whether or not you should be eating it, Preston said. 'That's what the person is expecting as a response, comments like, 'I shouldn't be eating that.'' Often, changing the subject is the best strategy. When someone says, 'That looks really healthy,' say, 'Oh, it tastes really good,' Preston suggested. That takes the attention off the health aspect. Redirecting can help, too, Lauro said. When someone brings up something you don't want to discuss, ask them about something completely unrelated, such as Beyoncé's new country album or another current event. If you feel comfortable being direct, Baker said to simply say, 'Can we not talk about food or our bodies?' Lauro said to always be kind to yourself, set boundaries and know your limits regarding what you're comfortable (and not comfortable) discussing. If you're struggling with an eating disorder, call or text 988 or chat for article originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in Food: Also in Food: Also in Food:
