🌱 LEVEL 1 – EASY READ MODULE
Understanding Anorexia
🧠Symbol: Body + heart / worried face
What Is Anorexia?
Anorexia (also called anorexia nervosa) is an eating disorder.
It means:
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A person is not eating enough food
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Their body is not getting enough energy to stay healthy
Anorexia is not about dieting or slimming.
It is linked to feelings and mental health.
How Anorexia Can Make Someone Feel
A person with anorexia may feel:
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Very worried about food or weight
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Like they are never good enough
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Lonely or secretive
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A strong need to be in control
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Scared of gaining weight
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Angry if people talk about food or eating
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Very tired or sad
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Anxious, especially at mealtimes
Some people may feel:
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Hopeless
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Depressed
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Like they want to disappear
How Anorexia Can Affect Behaviour
A person may:
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Eat very little or stop eating
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Count calories all the time
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Hide or throw away food
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Avoid certain foods
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Make strict rules about eating
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Exercise too much
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Spend a lot of time weighing themselves
How Anorexia Affects the Body
Anorexia can cause:
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Weight loss
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Feeling cold and weak
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Hair thinning or hair loss
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Trouble concentrating
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Weak bones
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Changes to periods
⚠️ Anorexia can be dangerous if not treated.
Important Message
🚫 Anorexia is not a choice.
🚫 It is not about attention.
✅ Help is available.
✅ Recovery is possible.
Level 1 Questions
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What is anorexia?
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Is anorexia just about dieting?
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Name one feeling someone with anorexia might have.
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Name one way anorexia can affect the body.
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Who could someone talk to if they are worried?
🌿 LEVEL 2 – EASY READ (MORE DETAIL) MODULE
Anorexia: Feelings, Behaviour, and the Body
🧠Symbol: Brain + body
What Is Anorexia?
Anorexia nervosa is a serious mental health condition and eating disorder.
It involves:
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Restricting food
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Fear of gaining weight
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A distorted view of body shape or size
It is often linked to:
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Low self-esteem
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Feeling out of control
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Anxiety and depression
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Trauma or distress
Emotional Impact of Anorexia
Someone with anorexia may feel:
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Controlled by thoughts about food
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Like being thin is never enough
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Ashamed or secretive
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Angry when challenged
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Panicked around food
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Empty or numb
Some people may experience:
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Depression
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Suicidal thoughts
⚠️ These feelings are serious and need support.
Behavioural Signs of Anorexia
Behaviours can include:
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Eating very small amounts
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Avoiding “high calorie” foods
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Making strict food rules
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Over-exercising
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Using appetite suppressants
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Cooking for others but not eating
These behaviours are often about:
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Control
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Reducing emotional pain
Physical Effects of Anorexia
Anorexia can affect the whole body, including:
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Rapid weight loss
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Slow movement and low energy
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Feeling very cold
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Hair loss or lanugo (fine hair on skin)
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Loss of periods
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Bone weakness (osteoporosis)
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Difficulty concentrating
These effects can become life-threatening.
Why People May Develop Anorexia
There is no single cause.
Possible factors include:
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Genetics
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Early experiences
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Pressure to be “perfect”
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Trauma or loss
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Need for control when life feels unsafe
Recovery and Support
Recovery is possible with:
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Medical care
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Psychological therapy
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Nutritional support
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Family or carer support
💬 Many people say they once believed they could not be helped — but later recovered.
Important Safeguarding Message
Explaining anorexia does not excuse harmful behaviours.
It helps people:
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Understand
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Reduce shame
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Get the right support
Level 2 Questions
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What makes anorexia a mental health condition?
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Name two emotional effects of anorexia.
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Why might food feel linked to control?
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Name two physical risks of anorexia.
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Is recovery possible? What kind of support helps?
⚠️ Support Reminder
If someone:
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Is not eating
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Is losing weight quickly
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Talks about wanting to disappear or die
They need urgent support from:
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A trusted adult
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A doctor
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Mental health services
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