Bulimia can effect anyone including male cricketer Freddie Flintoff

I wanted to share this video by BBC One on my website as I believe it will give courage and perspective to many male jockeys that they too can develop an eating disorder. Furthermore, that they should not be embarrassed but rather be empowered that they are able to identify if they have one and that they can ask for help.

For the full 59 minutes episode go to BBC One.

I have found that the racing industry brushes the seriousness of eating disorders and compensatory behaviours jockeys use to make weight under the rug. This is also seen in the literature. By raising awareness and standing on my soap box, I hope to bring light to this issue with the hope that the racing industry will get behind me and the jockeys to provide nutrition education from the onset of their apprenticeship and support throughout their career and into retirement in order to minimise or prevent eating disorders and wasting.

Meg Roberts (APD, Acc Sports Dietitian)