Today marks the beginning of Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

The Department of Health estimates that around 200,000 people in Ireland are affected by eating disorders and increasing numbers are seeking help from services like Bodywhys.

Their helpline has seen a 30% jump in the number of callers to its helpline over the past year.

The main types of eating disorders relate to anorexia, bulimia and also binge-eating.

The official statistic for boys compared to girls is one in every 10 people - but Bodywhys believes it closer to 25%.

Harriet Parsons is services coordinator and a psychotherapist at Bodywhys.

She told Newstalk Breakfast that disorders can hit anyone at any time.