Eating disorders aren't simply born from a desire to stay thin. Other factors such as low self esteem, family troubles or a history of abuse can also contribute to eating disorder development. Often, people with eating disorders inappropriately use food to feel in control of their own lives.

Liz Jones, a columnist for the Daily Mail, wrote a candid report about her own battle with anorexia. Jones states that her obsession with food started at age 11. In her early 20s, she sought treatment for her eating disorder. But still, though she claims she has this "thin thing under control," her life is riddled with the fences her eating habits erect and the social and medical consequences they create.

Jones was recently told that she's heading towards a diagnosis of osteoporosis. (Anorexia and osteoporosis are closely linked, as bone density can be negatively impacted by hormonal and nutritional problems.) In light of that warning, and because her "fantastic cook" of a sister was coming for a visit, Jones decided to try to eat without self-imposed restrictions for three weeks.

"Anorexia is an obsessive-compulsive disease," explains Lynn Grefe, CEO of the National Eating Disorder Association. "If someone is really diagnosable as anorexic or bulimic, they're not thinking clearly. The way they show their disease is through their behavior with food." In addition to the osteoporosis Jones' doctor warned her about, Grefe said a host of other complications can arise. "You're not feeding your organs; you're starving your kidneys, starving your heart muscle. Our bodies need to be fed and nurtured and cared for. It's like driving a car without oil in the engine... at some point it's just going to give out."

Jones' account of her three-week eating experiment is eye-opening and well worth a read. She had definite ups -- she enjoyed buying all the food, found that she was in a better mood and started to eat when she was hungry. But the rapid and non-supervised change in her eating patterns also caused her to panic at times and didn't deal with any of the underlying reasons she has an eating disorder in the first place.

If you, a friend or family member is battling an eating disorder, an experiment like Jones' isn't likely to affect long-term change. Your best bet is to seek help from a qualified source. The National Eating Disorder Association can help; call their toll-free help line at 800.931.2237. "You have to talk about it," advised Grefe. "There is nothing to be ashamed of. It's an illness and you didn't choose this." Grefe says to seek help from a specialist as soon as possible; it's important to find a specialist who understands that eating disorders are a biological, psychological and sociological illness.

At the end of Jones' three-week eating fest, she sadly admits that she would "rather be thin than happy or healthy." The admission is a bit shocking, because Jones' columns often reflect her belief that women of different sizes should be better represented in the fashion industry and that women should embrace their own unique shape and not strive for an unrealistic body goal.

Jones ends her article by advising against unhealthy eating habits like hers and stating that it's too late for her. But it's not too late. It's never too late for anyone with an eating disorder. There is help -- and there is hope.