The "dangerous power" of eating disorders will be highlighted in a new Louis Theroux documentary, partly filmed at a north west London clinic.
Following women of all ages as they attempt recovery, the filmmaker spends time with patients on and off the ward at St Ann’s Hospital and Vincent Square Clinic - two of London's biggest adult eating disorder treatment facilities.
Exploring the complex relationship between the disorder and the person it inhabits, Louis Theroux: Talking to Anorexia includes patients from Barnet, Enfield & Haringey Trust and Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL).
Describing the film, which airs on Sunday (October 29) at 9pm on BBC 2, the BBC said: "Louis meets women of all ages and at various stages of their illness, accompanying them through an enforced daily routine of scheduled eating, weigh-ins and group therapy sessions.
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"As he spends more time with patients both on and off the wards, he witnesses the dangerous power that anorexia holds over them, leaving some unsure about whether recovery is achievable or even wanted.
"And as Louis seeks to understand what lies behind this mysterious illness, he finds himself drawn into a complex relationship between the disorder and the person it inhabit."
Anorexia - the fear of eating and gaining weight - is now the most deadly mental illness in the UK, the BBC adds.
It affects around one in every 250 women at some stage in their lives.
The documentary will feature CNWL's clinical director for eating disorder services, Dr Frances Connan, who said: "“Brave people showed Louis Theroux their Anorexia Nervosa and his film compassionately shows their struggles; what it’s like to live with this illness (for them and their families), and to engage in treatment and recovery.
"We see it all; it’s not about food itself but the feelings of powerlessness and worthlessness that lie beneath. We see the tyranny of the illness. There are some tough moments, but we also see hopeful shoots of recovery.
"The sooner someone with Anorexia Nervosa gets help and treatment, the better their chance of a full recovery. This is why we have expanded community-based eating disorder services in north west London and Milton Keynes.
"This is a great film with great people battling one of the most deadly mental illnesses, in all its ugliness but with the love and hope that surrounds them."
Chief executive of the trust, Claire Murdoch, said she is pleased the film highlights the need for early intervention, which she says "is happening".
"There are 70 new specialist children and young people community eating disorder teams, covering all local areas in England," she said.
"They are seeing urgent referrals within a week and non-urgent within four weeks in the vast majority of cases. This is a considerable achievement because early intervention works and Louis’s compassionate film shows why it is so necessary."
Mental health clinical lead for North West London Collaboration of CCGs (Clinical Commissioning Groups), Dr Fiona Butler, added: "New eating disorder services have opened in north London in the last year to improve access for people who need help.
"We are pleased this documentary highlights how vital the care is that these services provide."
For more information on eating disorder services in north west London, click here.
Louis Theroux: Talking to Anorexia airs on Sunday (October 29) at 9pm on BBC 2.
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