Sue Gaskell didn't struggle with an eating disorder until she was an adult -- but it took her 15 years to overcome the builima that she developed after she began leading a weight loss group. Gaskell, who recounts her experiences in a book titled "Eating Your Words," hopes her story will encourage others of all ages to get the help they need.

According to an Aug. 12 article in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty Times, Gaskell's troubles began when she found that the weight loss group that she became involved with began pushing her toward unhealthy nutrition practices.

"Going into an industry where you're being constantly weighed, [weight] becomes an occupation," Gaskell said in the article. "I had hundreds of people coming to see me every week but nobody knew that deep down, this awful thing was happening to me."

Now recovered from her disorder, Gaskell told Times writer Nicola Murphy that she feel compelled to help others avoid the experience that she endured. "Eating Your Words" is slated to be published by The National Library.

Labels: bulimia

Posted By: Aspen/CRC