Signs Your Teen Might Be Struggling With Negative Body Image or Disordered Eating

If you overhear teens talking about themselves and their experiences these days, more often than you might think, you’ll hear talk about body insecurities, skipping meals, and Instagram or tiktok influencers promoting unhealthy ideals that would cause red flags to rise.

With the pressures teens face about their bodies from other teens, family, coaches, other adults, and social media,  the importance of checking in on your teen’s health cannot be emphasized enough.

Over 50% of teenage girls and 30% of teenage boys use unhealthy behaviors to control their weight such as smoking, skipping meals, vomiting, taking laxatives, and overexercising (Neumark).

Read More: “How To Bring Body Positive Messages Home To Your Teen”

The consequences of engaging in these behaviors at such a young age are extensive including osteoporosis, heart damage or failure, tooth decay, malnutrition, hormone imbalances, gastrointestinal issues, etc.

Not to mention mental health concerns including development of an eating disorder, depression,  anxiety, suicidality, substance abuse, and more.

Parents often say they had no idea things had gotten so serious; that they wish they had known what to look for.

Signs your teen might be struggling with their body image, disordered eating, or maybe even an eating disorder.

They talk negatively about themselves frequently.
This is could look like specifically talking negatively about their appearance, food choices or in general being highly self-critical.

Most teens feel some sort of discomfort about their bodies or the way they look due this being a time of exploration and puberty.

This could look more extreme when they seem to be preoccupied with things like cosmetic surgery, certain body parts, or a meal they ate.

Look for phrases like “if only my legs were a little thinner” or “I can’t believe I ate that”.

They just seem off.
This is a very broad statement, but most parents get a sense when their teen is possibly lying or being sneaky.

Eating disorder behaviors thrive in secrecy.

Skipping events such as dinners or social situations could be a sign of discomfort with eating.

Avoiding places or friends and family could mean that the teen may be isolating due to feeling so uncomfortable in their body or possibly they are engaging in unhealthy behaviors.

Look for changes in your teens behaviors that just seem off and check in with them about this.

“I notice you haven’t been eating dinner with us lately, what’s going on?”

“I’ve noticed you’re not hanging around your friends as much. I love you and I’m concerned. What’s going on?”

They are dieting.
There is no a reason a teenager should be putting themselves on a diet, especially one that a doctor or registered dietitian did not directly recommend.

Read More: “What Is ‘Diet Culture’ And Why Should You Care?

If they are eating differently or restricting meals or avoiding certain foods then this is likely a diet.

Healthy eating should never restrict an entire food group unless there is an allergy, religious, environmental, or other medical reason that is known.

Significant food restriction is a sign that your teen may be engaging in unhealthy behaviors to change their body.

Teens exploring vegetarianism may be a health choice and may not be.

Be curious about your teen’s food choices if they are dieting or restricting.

They are over-exercising.
Movement and activities have many benefits including social connection, mental, and physical health but taken to the extreme this great thing can quickly become dangerous.

Compulsive exercise is described as “exercise that interferes with important activities, occurs at inappropriate times or in inappropriate settings, or occurs when the individual exercises despite injury or other medical complications” (“Warning Signs and Symptoms”, 2020).

Teens that are putting exercising before family, friends, or school work may feel the need to exercise is priority and this obsession can be damaging to their mind and body.

Image of a red heart cupped in a pair of hands. Read More: “An Open Letter To Those Feeling Discomfort In Their Post-Pandemic Body”

By recognizing the signs that indicate a growing struggle with body image and disordered eating, we can help teens manage these behaviors and work on rebuilding a healthier relationship with food and their body before they worsen.

While, we cannot take away the discomfort of going through puberty and societal pressures, we can help uplift and support a positive relationship with our bodies.

If you or someone you know seems to be struggling with disordered eating or body image do not hesitate to help them reach out for more support.

Seeking professional help through an eating disorder or body image therapist, registered dietitian, or medical provider can help take steps to having a positive relationship with your body and yourself.

Our body image counselor and eating disorder therapist can provide support to you or your loved ones.

For more information on disordered eating, visit the National Eating Disorders Association’s website or call their helpline at 800-931-2237.