Hilary Duff Says Her "Career Path" As A Teen Actor Led To Her Battle With A "Horrifying" Eating Disorder

Warning: This post contains discussion of eating disorders and body image issues.

You know Hilary Duff.

  Joce / GC Images / Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images
Joce / GC Images / Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images

In a recent Women's Health Australia profile, Hilary revealed that she battled an eating disorder when she was younger.

  Raymond Hall / GC Images / Getty Images
Raymond Hall / GC Images / Getty Images

In the story, she reveals that it took place over the course of a year, when she was 17 years old — right at the time she was famous for Lizzie McGuire — and that the pressure that came with her career as a teen actor played a role.

  Arturo Holmes / WireImage / Getty Images
Arturo Holmes / WireImage / Getty Images

“Because of my career path, I can’t help but be like, ‘I am on camera and actresses are skinny,’” she said. "It was horrifying."

  Emma Mcintyre / Getty Images
Emma Mcintyre / Getty Images

In the story, Hilary also discusses how she deals with body image issues in the present day, including "appreciating my health, doing activities that make me feel strong instead of just bettering the outside of my body," and "spending time with people that make me feel good and share similar views on health and body positivity."

  Weiss Eubanks / Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Weiss Eubanks / Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

And it's ultimately important to remember that there's no one "right" way to love and appreciate your body and yourself — so it's totally OK if what works for you is different from what works for someone else.

  Joce / GC Images / Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images
Joce / GC Images / Bauer-Griffin / Getty Images

You can read the entire article here.

The National Eating Disorders Association helpline is 1-800-931-2237; for 24/7 crisis support, text “NEDA” to 741741.