Eating Disorders Association of Tasmania facilitator Keri Campbell said she had been told by several organisations that students at the state’s high schools had developed a culture of skipping meals to fit in.

‘‘It’s peer pressure – someone says ‘I’m not eating lunch’ and then someone else will say ‘Well, neither will I’, then all you need is for someone to skip their morning tea and it could spiral into an eating disorder,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s there and it’s a real cultural thing in schools.’’

Two per cent of the calls received by the National Eating Disorder Centre come from Tasmanians, and the organisation has estimated that about 20,000 people are affected by an eating disorder in the state.

The illness is linked with depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder, as well as cardiovascular disease, brittle bones, oral health issues  and liver and kidney problems.

Ms Campbell said the stigma around eating disorders made it difficult for people living with them and their families to identify when there was a problem and seek help.

‘‘A lot of families live with an eating disorder without even knowing they’re living with it,’’ she said.

‘‘When someone is diagnosed, there is so much shame and guilt for the family.

‘‘If the community is aware of it, then parents can pick it up faster, and the faster you pick up an eating disorder, the faster your recovery time.’’

People who need support can contact the Eating Disorders Association of Tasmania on 0421 550 783 or keriedat@gmail.com.

People can also contact the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673  or email support @thebutterflyfoundation.org.au.