Eating disorders are now being studied in a Welch university program - the first of the kind the country has ever seen.
More than 1000 new cases of eating disorders are being confirmed each year.
Now Cardiff Universitys curriculum includes a module called, The Collaborative Working in Eating Disorders.
It aims to help promote greater understanding and treatment of eating disorders, like anorexia and bulimia.
The program pulls together academics and sufferers of eating disorders, to establish a better framework for dealing with the illness. Its the first program of its kind in Wales.
Katy Rawlins, who has an eating disorder and is taking part in the development of the unique course, says:
"As a long-term sufferer of an eating disorder I am really pleased to see clinicians, academics, students, sufferers and carers all working together in order to promote a true understanding of eating disorders.
It is only with this kind of collaborative effort that we can think progressively and together develop a successful way to help and provide appropriate care for people with eating disorders."
