Eating Disorder Awareness Week: Real story reveals how long‑term undereating can silently damage bone health To mark Eating Disorder Awareness Week, the Royal Osteoporosis Society (ROS) is sharing a striking personal account that highlights a critical lack of recognition, education and follow‑up care around osteoporosis – particularly for younger people whose bone health has been damaged by long‑term undereating. Kel, who developed an eating disorder at 18, was first sent for a precautionary bone density scan after several years of being significantly underweight. “I didn’t know what osteoporosis was at the time,” she says. “I didn’t expect the scan to show any issues, and neither did the psychiatrist. But I got an osteoporosis diagnosis straight away.” Despite the seriousness of the result, Kel says she received little explanation or ongoing support. She was advised to take calcium supplements and return in three years. Subsequent scans at 27 and 30 showed no improvement, yet she was again told only to “contact a doctor if you break anything”. “I felt I was being left alone to get on with it,” she says. “I remember my boyfriend at the time called the ROS Helpline when I was first diagnosed and they sent me information. I was scared to do anything in case I broke a bone. I now know that was a misunderstanding – but no one explained it to me until I found the ROS.” Her situation became even more complex after a hysterectomy at 29, which further increased her risk due…
