Towie’s Joey Turner is not a healthy weight — it looks like he has an eating disorder…people shouldn’t pretend otherwise
FORMER Towie star Joey Turner has sparked concern from fans online after posting several alarming photos of himself looking critically thin at just seven-and-a-half stone.
“To put it bluntly – I can’t help being skinny.
"I am happy, healthy and have supportive people around me,” says the 20-year-old.
During his time on the show he was a healthy weight, and now it looks to me as if he’s in the grip of an eating disorder and I think anyone pretending he isn’t is doing him a serious disservice.
So hopefully, the “supportive people” around him will be doing everything in their power to get him the professional help he clearly needs.
Anorexia is at an all-time high among young women, but it affects men too and there’s nothing “healthy” about it.
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THE HEALTH IMPLICATIONS OF BEING UNDERWEIGHT
DOCTORS and healthcare professionals use BMI to check if a person's weight is deemed healthy.
A normal BMI is considered to be between 18.5 and 24.9, but anything below 18.5 can set alarm bells ringing.
It suggests your weight is too low, and can be an indication of an eating disorder.
To check if you're underweight, you can use the NHS BMI online calculator.
The NHS warns, being underweight is not good for your health.
It can cause nutritional deficiencies, and lead to you lacking vital nutrients, calcium to keep your bones strong, for example.
Without enough calcium, you're at increased risk of osteoporosis.
If you're lacking iron, you can develop anaemia, which can leave you feeling drained and very tired.
Being underweight can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to colds and viruses.
And women who are underweight can encounter fertility problems, if their periods stop.
If your low weight is caused by your diet, the NHS recommends switching to a healthy, balanced diet.
It is advised to avoid high calorie food and to try and gain weight gradually.
If you're underweight, or concerned about a loved one, speak to a GP or practice nurse to get help and advice.
To find out more, visit the NHS website