Former Deputy Prime Minster Battles Bulimia: John Prescott

In his memoirs, "My Story, Pulling No Punches," former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott reveals his battle with bulimia. "I've never confessed it before. Out of shame, I suppose, or embarrassment or just because it's such a strange thing for someone like me to confess to. People normally associate it with young women - anorexic girls, models trying to keep their weight down, or women in stressful situations, like Princess Diana. Then, of course, with my weight, people wouldn't suspect it," he says in an extract published by The Sunday Times.

Mr. Prescott suspects the stress of daily long work hours, that he experienced when he entered the Labor shadow cabinet in the 1980, to have helped trigger the disorder. "The only break I ever took was to eat... It became my main pleasure, having access to my comfort food. I'm sure it was to do with stress. I wasn't doing it all the time, and there would be gaps of weeks and months, but during those years when we first got into power, I let things get on top of me and took refuge in stuffing my face," he said.

"At home, I would say, 'No thanks,' to Pauline (his wife) when she offered seconds, but behind her back, I’d raid the kitchen or the fridge. Same at the office. I became a secret eater, hiding food and snacks, then trying to eat them when no one could see me." Despite Prescott's secrecy, his wife became aware after noticing food was missing from the house, and witnessing telltale signs in their bathroom. She persuaded Prescott to seek help. He was diagnosed with bulimia nervosa by the House of Commons Doctor.

Though still bulimic when he took up his post in 1977, now 69 years old he says he's been free from his bulimia for a year. He is supporting an NHS campaign to raise the awareness of eating disorders. "Now I’ve come out about my bulimia, I hope I might do something to help the many young women — and others — who suffer from it" he says in his book.

The Press Association states Eating Disorder Experts are praising John Prescott's confession. "Consultant psychiatrist Dr Ty Glover said Mr Prescott's confession would help other men with eating disorders. 'It's a hugely brave and courageous thing for John to come out and admit that he was a bulimia sufferer,' he said. 'It's hard enough for a young girl to confess to, but for a high profile male politician approaching 70, it's especially impressive."

Related Post: Warning Signs of Bulimia

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compiled from the following sources:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=A1YourView&xml=/news/2008/04/20/nprescott120.xml
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/book_extracts/article3780994.ece
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i4xQRaHQrvMwn8b1anrrX-KVF0dQ
picture: http://www.johnbakersblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/prescott.jpg