InsideOut's Dr Phillip Aouad speaks to Triple J Hack about his research into "Chew and Spit".

“Usually it’s done with an enjoyable type of food that has high amounts of fat or sugars… so they don’t take in those additional calories or nutrients,” Dr Aouad says.

“We actually found that people who engage in it find that it’s so much more taboo to discuss than things like binging and purging, which are more commonly known.”

“The primary feeling that came through was shame - but that was worsened by things like stress, and it might be a way of regaining control."

Chew and spit was recently removed as a symptom from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (considered the authoritative guide to the diagnosis of mental disorders in much of the world), but Dr Aouad wants it to be recognised again as a symptom and screened for by health professionals.

He also wants people to reach out and get support if they are concerned about it. “You actually aren’t alone, the biggest message is to get help, talk to someone you can trust and who you think is going to take you seriously."