Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Eating disorders
What can cause an eating disorder?

It’s unlikely that one single thing will lead to an eating disorder. There is often a combination of risk factors, including genetics, emotional factors and cultural influences.

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Who gets eating disorders?

No matter your size, shape, age, abilities, gender identity, sexuality, cultural or linguistic background, economic status or location, anyone can experience an eating disorder.

Do you know someone at risk?

Approximately 9% of Australians will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime but it’s not possible to tell if a person has an eating disorder simply by their appearance.
Body image
What is body image?

Body image is the thoughts, feelings, attitudes and beliefs we have about our bodies and how we look, including our shape, size, weight, and the way our body functions for us.

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Body image issues don’t discriminate.

There are many factors that can contribute to poor body image and body dissatisfaction. Body image issues affect people of all ages, genders and across all cultures.

Body image programs

Butterfly’s programs for young people, professionals and parents are evidence based and designed to provide practical strategies, skills and resources to support positive body image and healthy behaviours in young Australians.
Get support
Butterfly provides support, care, referrals and resources

Whether for you, a friend, a family member, a client, or anyone else that you care about, Butterfly is here to offer support.

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Butterfly’s National Helpline

Our helpline is free and confidential, and our specialist counsellors offer non-judgmental support over the phone, by email and by online chat, seven days a week.

Search Butterfly's Referral Database

Find eating disorder professionals, services and treatment nearest to you, through our Referral Database, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Health Professionals
Information, resources and referrals for your clients

Our Helpline and support services are not only for people impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, but also for clinicians and other health and education professionals.

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Butterfly referral database

Butterfly's Referral Database provides a directory of professionals, screened for an understanding of eating disorders, so people Australia-wide can find appropriate care..

Medicare items for eating disorders

Patients with a clinical diagnosis of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and other eating disorders may be eligible for new Medicare rebates under the Eating Disorder Medicare Plan.
School & Youth Professionals
Programs for people working with young people

Butterfly offers presentations, resources and workshops to teachers, professionals, young people and parents on the risk and protective factors for body dissatisfaction, disordered eating and eating disorders.

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Body Kind Schools

Support young people’s body image by joining Butterfly’s annual free schools awareness initiative. Finding ways to feel positive about your body can be challenging but we can all try to be kinder.

Butterfly Body Bright

A new whole of school program to promote positive body image and healthy attitudes and behaviours towards the body, eating, and physical activity in primary school-aged children.
Who we are
About Butterfly

Butterfly changes lives by providing support services, treatment and resources, delivering prevention and early intervention programs and advocating for the needs of those with eating disorders and body image issues.

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A Voice for Change

As the voice of lived experience, Butterfly advocates on behalf of people impacted by negative body image, eating disorders, and those who support and care for them.

Our Partners and Supporters

Butterfly is extremely grateful for the passion and commitment of our dedicated corporate and community partners.
Get involved
Ways to get involved

There are many different ways you can get involved and help bring about positive change for those experiencing eating disorders and negative body image. You are a vital part of the solution.

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Our Impact

Established nearly 20 years, Butterfly’s multi-skilled team continue to make a significant impact within the mental health sector.

Share Your Story

Every experience of an eating disorder is unique. Sharing stories from personal experience allows for reflection, understanding and connection.

Talk to someone now. Call our National Helpline on 1800 33 4673. You can also chat online or email

Home

Blog

A space for sharing all things body image and eating disorders related. All blog entries are written by our staff, those with a lived experience and professionals.

Tips for Easter while living with an eating disorder

Navigating holidays or celebrations that revolve around food and indulgence may be tricky for people living with eating disorders, body image concerns or those who are in their recovery journey. Our Butterfly team has put together some tips and resources on handling Easter while living with or in recovery from an eating disorder.

National Sibling Day: Advice for people who have a sibling with an eating disorder

Eating disorders impact more than just the individual - their effect can be felt by the whole family and support network. For National Sibling Day, we've prepared some tips to help support those who have a sibling with an eating disorder.

Ramadan and eating disorders: lived experience advice

"By the time I was in my early twenties, my relationship with Ramadan became far more complex. I had not only developed an eating disorder, but other factors including my job at that time, who did not understand Ramadan and what it meant to me, all contributed to the loss of connection I once had with the holiest month of the year." Rahma shares how she manages being in eating disorder recovery while observing Ramadan.

Letting go of the weight loss fantasy

Kiara shares how she overcame the notion of the "ideal body" and why letting go of the weight loss fantasy is crucial to eating disorder recovery and healing body image.

Tips for dietitians working with people experiencing eating disorders

While eating disorders are about more than just food, dietitians play a key role in eating disorder treatment. In this blog, we ask a dietitian who works with people experiencing eating disorders for their top tips on ensuring effective and safe practice, while also sharing resources and information that can help health professionals expand their knowledge on eating disorders to better support their clients. #DietitiansWeek2022

How to address appearance-based bullying & teasing in young people

Up to 58% of primary-school age children have reported appearance-related teasing from peers, while body discrimination is the most widespread type of discrimination for teens aged 14-17. For National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence, our Prevention team has put together a blog with advice and tips for parents on addressing appearance-related bullying and teasing in young people.

On both sides of the therapy table: Navigating dual identities of being a clinician with lived experience in eating disorders

Pheobe has a lived experience of Anorexia and Bulimia, and is now a clinical psychologist registrar, currently working in the private and public sector in the area of eating disorders. Find out how she manages the transition from client to clinician and the difficult conversations on the mental health of clinicians.

International Women’s Day 2022: Reducing bias, myths and misinformation related to body image and eating disorders

While anyone can experience an eating disorder, women are disproportionately affected – around two-thirds of those who experience eating disorders are women and girls, and eating disorders are the third most common chronic illness in young women. Up to 15% of all women will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. #IWD2022

Body image pressures as a cisgendered gay man

Sociocultural and body image pressures to look like the "stereotypical, perfect gay man" led Nik down a dark rabbit hole of restrictive eating, excessive exericse and thinking he had to change his body in order to be accepted. But once Nik surrounded himself with like-minded people, he realised just how supportive the LGBTQIA+ community could be; a place of colorful, free expression, self-acceptance and a representation of the diversity of life.

Boycotting Highlight Reels and Embracing Our True Selves

Lived experience advocacy is key in educating the public about the realities of eating disorders. In light of #NEDAwareness Week 2022, hear from US-based eating disorder advocate Lexie Manion, whose campaigns #BoycottTheBefore and #HighlightMyReal are helping to bring people with a lived experience and their allies and supporters together.

Reducing body dissatisfaction amongst teens: how parents can help

Body image is a top concern for young people, but parents can help to reduce body dissatisfaction in their children and teens. Read this guide from our Prevention team to help foster a positive body image in your child.

Eating disorders and the ballet industry: why change needs to occur

The ballet industry thrives on structure, comparison, and perfectionism. With a focus on an ideal, thin body type, and instructors pushing this on dancers at any cost, it can become the perfect environment for eating disorders to develop. Now, dancers and experts are calling for change.

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Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.

We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.

Butterfly acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we work as the first people of this country.

We commit to embracing diversity and eliminating discrimination in health care. We welcome all help-seekers and strive to create a safe place for all people, irrespective of their size, shape, age, abilities, gender, sexuality, cultural background, language, economic status, profession or location.