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.

Eating disorders in the workplace

With approximately one in five Australian workers experiencing a mental illness at any one time, there’s a chance someone in your workplace might be experiencing an eating disorder. From creating a Body Kind workplace, to changing your language around food, dieting and bodies, here are our top tips for managing eating disorders in the workplace.

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.

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.

Help kids feel BRIGHT in their body this holiday season

This festive season, we’re encouraging everyone to share some ‘body brightness’ with the children in their lives. #ButterflyBodyBright’s manager Dr. Stephanie Damiano has put together some tips for promoting positive body image and healthy behaviours in and around children during this time, so you can help your children thrive and feel BRIGHT in their bodies!

How to avoid post lockdown body shaming on social media

We’ve been through a lot, and like any life stage, it’s okay if your body has changed during this time. Remember, your body has kept you going through a global pandemic.

Supporting your loved one to keep on track with their recovery during the pandemic and beyond

Coping strategies for Binge Eating during lockdowns and beyond

Stress caused by lockdowns, changing restrictions and returning to usual routines post lockdown can impact our ability to cope with emotions and may lead to the use of a way of coping such as binge eating.

Why recognising your thin privilege can reduce your perpetuation of weight based stigma and improve your body image

"Over the last few years, recognising my thin privilege has propelled me into unlearning fatphobia... As a by-product of this work, we can also improve our relationship with our own bodies. In this race to body acceptance, recognising our thin privilege compels us to take steps to acknowledge and unlearn weight stigma. It is in this context that we can all step into our power."

Fostering self-compassion and kindness coming out of lockdown

After being confined to our houses for months on end, it’s normal to feel anxiety about returning to a pre-lockdown life. Here are our top tips for strengthening your self-compassion and self-kindness.

How to deal with Isolation and Weight Gain Memes

Memes and jokes around weight gain and appearance can be very triggering for anyone with disordered eating or body image concerns. Here’s how to handle triggering content you see on social media.

Positive Body Image: Navigating the terms and movements

From body acceptance to body neutrality, it can be hard to keep up with all the different terms used alongside body image. Our Prevention Manager Danni Rowlands has put together this guide to understanding the different terms commonly used in the positive body image movement, so you can use the language, terms and approaches that fit you and your body image best.

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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.