Liam Kelly spent 25 years battling bulimia nervosa. Reem Mohammed / The National
Liam Kelly spent 25 years battling bulimia nervosa. Reem Mohammed / The National
Liam Kelly spent 25 years battling bulimia nervosa. Reem Mohammed / The National
Liam Kelly spent 25 years battling bulimia nervosa. Reem Mohammed / The National

'Never feel ashamed': how people suffering from eating disorders are being affected by the pandemic


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

Liam Kelly was 13 when he developed an eating disorder. It all started after a school friend made a throwaway comment about how his T-shirt looked "tight". "There was no malice intended, but I took it very personally," Kelly, now a teacher at Abu Dhabi's Diyafah International School, tells The National.

“At this stage I was very conscious about my image. I’m only 13 and I’m already beginning to please other people before myself.”

That night, he went home and decided to go for a run. Instead, he threw up his dinner. And so began a 25-year journey to overcoming bulimia nervosa, a serious and potentially life-threatening disorder in which sufferers tend to binge eat and then purge.

Liam Kelly, a teacher at Diyafah International School in Abu Dhabi, has written a series of books to raise awareness of children's mental health. Pawan Singh / The National
Liam Kelly, a teacher at Diyafah International School in Abu Dhabi, has written a series of books to raise awareness of children's mental health. Pawan Singh / The National

It’s only been two years since Kelly, now 40, told another person about his condition and began to truly recover.

Today, he feels healthy, happy and, thankfully, able to deal with the current coronavirus pandemic without having to worry about his condition. “My outlook on life is different and my body is full of nutrients that weren’t there before,” he says.

But, as someone who understands the mentality behind bulimia, he worries for anyone who may still be suffering from an eating disorder during these trying times.

The psychological impact of Covid-19

Nadia Brooker, counselling psychologist and a specialist in eating disorders at the Priory Wellbeing Centre in Dubai, shares Kelly’s fear.

“The current Covid-19 pandemic is having a significant impact on our daily lives,” she says. “There is so much uncertainty and change happening right now that it can be really hard to keep track and manage our physical and emotional well-being.

"As a result, it’s likely we are all experiencing numerous, difficult emotions, which can often lead to changes in appetite that can eventually lead to disordered eating patterns.”

Brooker says changes to our daily routine – a lack of structure, increased isolation and any financial or relationship pressures, for example – can potentially make a person’s condition worse.

Over-eating, in particular, could become an issue. "Utilising food as a means to [cope] has a strong physiological underpinning and therefore it's unsurprising that over-eating or compulsive eating is being used by many as a coping mechanism, as opposed to simply attending to hunger cues."

Nadia Brooker, a counselling psychologist. Courtesy Priory Wellbeing Centre
Nadia Brooker, a counselling psychologist. Courtesy Priory Wellbeing Centre

Kelly, as a teacher, is particularly concerned for teenagers and young people. “Now children are staying at home more, they’re eating more, their eating habits are out of control, they’re sleeping more and their sleeping patterns are out of control,” he says.

“We’re watching movies, we can have popcorn, ice cream and candy, and it’s all those things that can add up. Parents need to be mindful of that balance. We don’t want our children to overindulge.”

Brooker agrees, adding that this type of behaviour can affect everyone. “During times of stress, our cortisol levels are elevated, which can also increase our appetite.

As a result, our body will often crave feel-good foods such as chocolate, crisps, sweets and carbohydrate-rich items that are considered a treat but are highly calorific and often full of sugar.

"These types of foods provide energy bursts and encourage the production of serotonin and dopamine – the ‘happy chemicals’,” Brooker says.

This activates our brain's pleasure centre and can distract us from uncomfortable emotions we might be feeling.

While Brooker says it’s unlikely that someone will develop an eating disorder based solely on the pandemic, the crisis may exacerbate disordered eating behaviours or preoccupations for those who may already have a predisposition to a condition.

Individuals who already struggle with over or under-eating may find these behaviours increasing, particularly as lockdown has seen numerous changes in day to day life

This goes for all eating disorders, including bulimia, binge-eating disorders and anorexia nervosa, which is often characterised by food restriction and a strong fear of gaining weight.

“Individuals who already struggle with over or under-eating may find these behaviours increasing, particularly as lockdown has seen numerous changes in day to day life,” she says.

On the other hand, she has also noted some advantages for people seeking treatment at this time. “They may now be benefitting from increased family support and consistency, along with the potential for reduced external triggers, such as eating in public, at school or managing meals on their own, for example.”

How to treat an eating disorder

The Priory Wellbeing Centre treats people of a wide variety of backgrounds and ages, but there are some trends when it comes to those suffering from eating disorders, Brooker says.

“Generally speaking, those individuals suffering from anorexia nervosa seeking support at the clinic are largely children and adolescents, whereas with bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder we see a wider range in ages and genders.”

Although statistics show more women will be affected by anorexia and bulimia, research suggests there’s equal prevalence among males and females for binge eating disorders. But it’s important that we don’t get hung up on the numbers. “Eating disorders can affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weight and socio-economic statuses,” Brooker says.

Although Kelly didn’t seek professional treatment – he says once he found someone to confide in he felt able to recover by himself – he doesn’t necessarily advise this approach to others.

“You have to think about when it started, why it started, why you’ve been hiding it. If you can’t get someone to help you find those answers, you need to find a therapist and get professional help,” he says. “If you don’t answer those questions, it’s going to control you again.”

Today, he manages his condition by planning his meals ahead and eating healthily. "I’m in control of my diet now because I’m happy inside myself," he says. "I'm happy with myself, my body and I’m now not seeking people’s approval. That’s important to me."

Liam Kelly only began his road to recovery two years ago. Reem Mohammed / The National
Liam Kelly only began his road to recovery two years ago. Reem Mohammed / The National

Brooker strongly emphasises the need to tackle an eating disorder using evidence-based practice, to give sufferers the best chance of recovery. “Unfortunately, eating disorders are often misunderstood or misdiagnosed. Thus, seeking help from professionals is crucial,” she says.

There are various myths about these conditions that may play a role in perpetuating any underlying issues, she says. For example, that eating disorders are a choice and are about appearance and beauty. “This, however, is false and it is important to be aware that eating disorders are serious, brain-based biological illnesses.”

Knowing this can help families and professionals identify and treat sufferers better and more effectively, she says.

Do you or a loved one have an eating disorder?

So how do you recognise that you are or someone you love is struggling? “It can be extremely difficult to determine whether a friend, family member or colleague is suffering from an eating disorder, as the signs and symptoms can manifest differently in different people,” Brooker explains. “Men in particular are also likely to be far more reluctant to talk about their symptoms or admit they have a problem, given that eating disorders are often seen as a ‘female issue’.”

Being in such close proximity while staying at home may allow concerned family members and friends to notice more obvious symptoms, however.

I've been through it, but I'm one of the lucky ones ... I'm extremely fortunate that I was able to come out the other end and share my story

Brooker says there are some tell-tale signs to look out for. This includes an obsession or preoccupation with food; a loss of control with eating habits; an obsession with physical appearance and other people’s perception of your body; fluctuations in weight; a desire to eat alone or in secret; becoming distressed during mealtimes; low self-esteem; and increased shame, guilt, anxiety or depression.

Early intervention is key, so it is important to stay alert to those around you and remember that “dismissing the idea that an eating disorder is not there or ‘not severe enough’ creates a huge barrier”, Brooker says.

For anyone who might be suffering and attempting to hide their pain, Kelly says it’s crucial to speak up.

“Never feel ashamed of what you’re going through, because it’s not your fault … It happened so easily to me and it can happen to someone else,” he says. “There’s always someone there to talk to.”

And if you're not ready to open up to people you know or seek professional help just yet, Kelly, who is also the author of a children's book about mental health, says to try reaching out to him through social media.

“I’ve been through it, but I’m one of the lucky ones. I don’t have any medical problems. I’m extremely fortunate that I was able to come out the other end and share my story.”

Strategies for coping with an eating disorder during a pandemic

Brooker outlines numerous strategies to improve our eating habits, physical and emotional well-being, which could help you manage an eating disorder.

  • Have a clear meal plan. "That includes three main meals, incorporating carbohydrates, protein, vegetables, dairy and fats, and snacks. Ideally, we function best when we eat regularly throughout the day, which means eating every three or so hours."
  • Become aware of your feelings. "Take time every day to reflect on how you are coping," says Brooker. "So, simply stop, take a step back, observe and proceed mindfully."
  • Recognise and name what makes you feel vulnerable, or what 'triggers' you, to use food as a coping skill. "These may be internal or external triggers."
  • Use mindfulness and grounding techniques such as deep breathing and body scans. "Apps such as Calm or Headspace are great for this."
  • Notice the positives. "It can be helpful to end your day by noticing one thing you enjoyed, one thing you are grateful for and one thing that you achieved."
  • Don't beat yourself up. "If you feel like you engaged in disordered eating, notice what caused this. Use this information in a helpful way and plan how to move forward by identifying these challenges and naming helpful alternatives."
  • Look for support. "Surround yourself with people who support you and make you feel good about yourself."
  • Be mindful of media and making any comparisons between yourself and the images of people you see portrayed.
  • Be mindful when eating. "Be 'present' when eating and not with a backdrop of TV, radio or social media, for example – and participate in regular physical activity."
  • Finally, speak up. "If you're struggling, talk to someone about it and access support."
The story in numbers

18

This is how many recognised sects Lebanon is home to, along with about four million citizens

450,000

More than this many Palestinian refugees are registered with UNRWA in Lebanon, with about 45 per cent of them living in the country’s 12 refugee camps

1.5 million

There are just under 1 million Syrian refugees registered with the UN, although the government puts the figure upwards of 1.5m

73

The percentage of stateless people in Lebanon, who are not of Palestinian origin, born to a Lebanese mother, according to a 2012-2013 study by human rights organisation Frontiers Ruwad Association

18,000

The number of marriages recorded between Lebanese women and foreigners between the years 1995 and 2008, according to a 2009 study backed by the UN Development Programme

77,400

The number of people believed to be affected by the current nationality law, according to the 2009 UN study

4,926

This is how many Lebanese-Palestinian households there were in Lebanon in 2016, according to a census by the Lebanese-Palestinian dialogue committee

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

• New “hybrid Navy” with AUKUS submarines and autonomous vessels

RESULT

Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')

Match info

Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')

The specs

Engine: 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6

Power: 540hp at 6,500rpm

Torque: 600Nm at 2,500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Kerb weight: 1580kg

Price: From Dh750k

On sale: via special order

if you go

The flights

Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes. 

The hotels

Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes. 

When to visit

March-May and September-November

Visas

Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Hales' batting career

Tests 11; Runs 573; 100s 0; 50s 5; Avg 27.38; Best 94

ODIs 58; Runs 1,957; 100s 5; 50s 11; Avg 36.24; Best 171

T20s 52; Runs 1,456; 100s 1; 50s 7; Avg 31.65; Best 116 not out

Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Ten10 Cricket League

Venue and schedule Sharjah Cricket Stadium, December 14 to 17

Teams

Maratha Arabians Leading player: Virender Sehwag; Top picks: Mohammed Amir, Imad Wasim; UAE players: Shaiman Anwar, Zahoor Khan

Bengal Lions Leading player: Sarfraz Ahmed; Top picks: Sunil Narine, Mustafizur Rahman; UAE players: Mohammed Naveed, Rameez Shahzad

Kerala Kings Leading player: Eoin Morgan; Top picks: Kieron Pollard, Sohail Tanvir; UAE players: Rohan Mustafa, Imran Haider

Pakhtoons Leading player: Shahid Afridi; Top picks: Fakhar Zaman, Tamim Iqbal; UAE players: Amjad Javed, Saqlain Haider

Punjabi Legends Leading player: Shoaib Malik; Top picks: Hasan Ali, Chris Jordan; UAE players: Ghulam Shabber, Shareef Asadullah

Team Sri Lanka Cricket Will be made up of Colombo players who won island’s domestic limited-overs competition

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books

Results:

5pm: Maiden (PA) | Dh80,000 | 1,200 metres

Winner: Jabalini, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Younis Kalbani (trainer)

5.30pm: UAE Arabian Derby (PA) | Prestige | Dh150,000 | 2,200m

Winner: Octave, Gerald Avranche, Abdallah Al Hammadi

6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round 3 (PA) | Group 3 Dh300,000 | 2,200m

Winner: Harrab, Richard Mullen, Mohamed Ali

6.30pm: Emirates Championship (PA) | Group 1 | Dh1million | 2,200m

Winner: BF Mughader, Szczepan Mazur, Younis Al Kalbani

7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (TB) | Group 3 | Dh380,000 | 2,200m

Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan

7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) | Conditions | Dh70,000 | 1,600m

Winner: AF La’Asae, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

Health Valley

Founded in 2002 and set up as a foundation in 2006, Health Valley has been an innovation in healthcare for more than 10 years in Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
It serves as a place where companies, businesses, universities, healthcare providers and government agencies can collaborate, offering a platform where they can connect and work together on healthcare innovation.
Its partners work on technological innovation, new forms of diagnostics and other methods to make a difference in healthcare.
Its agency consists of eight people, four innovation managers and office managers, two communication advisers and one director. It gives innovation support to businesses and other parties in its network like a broker, connecting people with the right organisation to help them further

Teams

India (playing XI): Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami

South Africa (squad): Faf du Plessis (c), Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock, Dean Elgar, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Vernon Philander, Dane Piedt, Kagiso Rabada, Rudi Second

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Jetour T1 specs

Engine: 2-litre turbocharged

Power: 254hp

Torque: 390Nm

Price: From Dh126,000

Available: Now

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

INDIA'S%20TOP%20INFLUENCERS
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WE%20NO%20LONGER%20PREFER%20MOUNTAINS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Inas%20Halabi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENijmeh%20Hamdan%2C%20Kamal%20Kayouf%2C%20Sheikh%20Najib%20Alou%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Tour de France Stage 16:

165km run from Le Puy-en-Velay to Romans-sur-Isère

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20ASI%20(formerly%20DigestAI)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Quddus%20Pativada%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Artificial%20intelligence%2C%20education%20technology%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%243%20million-plus%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20GSV%20Ventures%2C%20Character%2C%20Mark%20Cuban%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What are the influencer academy modules?
  1. Mastery of audio-visual content creation. 
  2. Cinematography, shots and movement.
  3. All aspects of post-production.
  4. Emerging technologies and VFX with AI and CGI.
  5. Understanding of marketing objectives and audience engagement.
  6. Tourism industry knowledge.
  7. Professional ethics.

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.6-litre turbo

Transmission: six-speed automatic

Power: 165hp

Torque: 240Nm

Price: From Dh89,000 (Enjoy), Dh99,900 (Innovation)

On sale: Now

Brief scores:

Toss: Kerala Knights, opted to fielf

Pakhtoons 109-5 (10 ov)

Fletcher 32; Lamichhane 3-17

Kerala Knights 110-2 (7.5 ov)

Morgan 46 not out, Stirling 40