Eating disorders and body image disorders are serious mental illnesses in which eating, weight or dissatisfaction with one’s appearance becomes an unhealthy preoccupation in a person’s life. Adolescence is the peak period for onset of these disorders.

Negative thoughts about body image and self-worth can lead to changes in eating and exercise behaviours or compulsive behaviours, which can be life threatening. Both males and females can become excessively concerned with body image, size, weight, fitness, shape and perceived defects. As a result, this can change their behaviour in unhealthy ways.