ANOREXIA nervosa, commonly just called anorexia, is an eating disorder and mental health condition.

People who have the disorder are very anxious about their weight, strictly controlling and limiting what they eat.

They starve themselves because they think they are fat or overweight and have a very strong fear of being fat.

Anorexia can affect anyone, although it is more common in women and girls.

It usually develops over time and most commonly starts in the mid- teens. In teenagers and young adults, the condition affects about one in 250 females and one in 2,000 males.

It is much more common in developed countries such as the UK than developing countries.

Starvation affects every part of the body and can lead to health problems. If not treated, these problems can become severe and even life-threatening.