Model Roz Purcell confessed how she spent years basing her ‘self-worth’ on her weight.
The Miss Ireland 2010 opened up about going to counselling and seeing a nutritionist to help tackle her body image issues.
The 28-year-old posted a picture of her when she was struggling with an eating disorder alongside a recent photo on social media.
Roz said: “Body image - it's something we're taught to place huge importance on. The media has decided what the perfect body type is and we have become completely blindsided by the fact our bodies are A LOT MORE THAN just for show.
Roz Purcell's Instagram advice to anyone struggling to feel comfortable in a bikini
“For a lot of years I based my self worth on my weight and believed reaching certain numbers would bring happiness and success - it doesn't work like that and I guess I had to live it to realise it.”
The 28-year-old has been praised in the past for posting an honest depiction of her stretch marks and cellulite on Instagram, along with reassuring words to her followers who may be struggling with body confidence.
Speaking during Body Image Week of the Mental Health Awareness Month, she said: “But I want to touch on what helped me heal my relationship with my body and food.
“Firstly a realisation that I wasn't ok and that I didn't want to waste anymore time hating myself and feeling I didn't deserve the things I wanted because of how I looked.
Roz Purcell hits back at people in modelling industry who shamed her for having 'chunky legs'
She added: “I sought help through counselling (cognitive behavioural therapy) and going to a nutritionist ( even though my eating disorders never really had anything to do with food it was just something I could control) it was really helpful in helping me tackle my ”fear” of certain foods and food groups.
“Talking to my friends and family, mostly my family at the time because I feel ashamed but more than anything it gave me a responsibility to see it through and learn to manage it because I had let someone else in.”
