The majority of people suffering from eating disorders in this country are women aged between 25 and 35 years, not teenagers.

The latest figures from Bodywhys - the Eating Disorder Association of Ireland - also shows calls to their helpline have soared by 92% in the first six months of the year, according to the Sunday Independent. 

The association cites increasingly hectic lifestyles as a reason for anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating becoming more prevalent in older women and men.

Last year more than 70% of those attending Bodywhys support groups were over the age of 25, and some have been battling eating disorders for over 10 years.

Harriet Parsons from Bodywhys says letting go of an eating disorder is "not about choice" and should be taken very seriously:

Originally posted at 12.30pm