Eating disorders can deprive the body of potassium and severe shortage of the mineral can cause heart failure. His body was discovered by his mother Enid. She became alarmed when she went to visit him and could not get into his flat, despite hearing music coming from a radio inside. She called the police who found James in his bedroom. He criticised doctors for not telling him how ill his son was and said that, had he known, he would have paid for hospital treatment for him.
Doctors differ as to the causes of the diseases.
Anorexics starve themselves while bulimics engage in a destructive cycle of starving and binging. Health problems linked to starvation include heart failure, kidney disorders, infertility and bone deficiency. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.