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Shockingly thin mum Rebecca Jones is proud she can wear her daughter’s clothes but there’s a big problem.

At 26, anorexic Rebecca is lighter than Maisy, aged seven, and in danger of starving herself to death.

Mum-of-one Rebecca said: “I’m terrified I won’t see Maisy grow up. I’d love to eat. I can think of nothing nicer than going out for lunch with Maisy but I can’t.”

Rebecca has survived on soup, toast and energy drinks for four years but nine months ago was rushed to hospital.

She had dangerously low potassium levels and a very high pulse. “When the doctor said my anorexia had caused part of my heart to die, I was petrified,”she said.

But Rebecca likes being thin. She told Closer magazine: “Wearing the same clothes as Maisy gives me a sense of pride. It’s wrong but it makes me feel good.

“About 18 months ago, I went down to 5st. I picked up one of Maisy’s skirts and it fits perfectly. Maisy is 4ft 5in and wears 9-11 clothes. We share tops and jeans.

“I don’t think I’m thin – I always see myself as bigger. I long to be normal, but I can’t help it.” Rebecca’s health problems started when she was 11 and her parents divorced.

She spent two years binge eating, reaching 15st at 13. She became a target for bullies so compensated by drastically cutting her food intake.

Rebecca, now a medical secretary, also feared no boy would fancy her so she lived off tiny meals of pasta or rice and a few wine gums.

Her weight fell to 8st within two years, the bullying stopped and she was happy at a size 10.

But her slimming turned into a dangerous obsession that has blighted her life ever since then.

At 16 her periods stopped and she was often too weak to get out of bed. But three years later, while ­studying at Manchester University, she became pregnant.

Despite a diet of beetroot and bread Maisy was born healthy, although small at 5lb 7oz.

Rebecca and her boyfriend split after two years and now Rebecca lives alone with Maisy, who she lets eat what she wants.

Rebecca, who is on an NHS waiting list to see a psychologist said: “It’s wonderful to see her enjoying cakes. I’ve told her I have an eating disorder and she knows it’s a bad thing.”

* FOR the full feature see this week’s Closer magazine, on sale now.

This story is a timely reminder of how strong a connection there is between eating disorders and being bullied.

Desperate to escape unwelcome attention of this sort, often the person feels they want to disappear.

In addition to a range of health complications such as heart, kidney, gastro-intestinal and fertility issues, anorexia nervosa has one of the highest rates of mortality for any psychiatric condition, estimated to run at around 13% to 20% a year. Osteoporosis also is a major problem. It is heartening to hear Rebecca has had a baby – often someone with an eating disorder no longer has periods and there is a high risk of infertility.

Those with an eating disorder often like to make sure others enjoy food and obviously Rebecca is anxious to ensure Maisy feels able to eat a variety of food without being influenced by mum’s illness.

With treatment, it is possible to beat an eating disorder. Hopefully, Rebecca will overcome her issues.

* See www.b-eat.co.uk or call 0845 634 1414 for help on eating disorders.