The Impact Of Body Image & Eating Disorders On Teenagers

How many teenagers struggle with body image issues? 

It is incredibly common for young people to feel insecure about their bodies, especially as they undergo the physical changes of puberty.  

Unfortunately, for many teenagers, these insecurities grow into severe anxieties that impact their daily lives and overall well-being. 

UK teenage body image statistics 

• In a recent survey by the Mental Health Foundation, it was found that 35% of young people aged 13–19 said their body image causes them to ‘often’ or ‘always’ worry. 
• According to a 2023 NHS survey, nearly 65% of young women (aged 17 to 19) reported thinking they were fat when others said they were thin, compared to nearly 22% of young men. 
• The study also showed that over 49% of young women said that worries about eating genuinely interfered with their lives, compared to around 14% of young men 

The impact of poor body image on teenhood 

A negative body image can severely impact anyone’s confidence and self-esteem, but teenagers are particularly susceptible to its impacts. Teenhood is often a time of trying to fit in and be like everyone else. Body image and looks heavily can play a significant role in this. 

As children grow up, feelings of negative body image can limit their aspirations in school, damage friendships, and lead to anxiety or depression. When left unsupported, severe body image issues can act as a gateway to more complex mental health problems, including self-harm and the development of eating disorders. 

What are eating disorders? 

Eating disorders are serious, diagnosable mental health conditions that involve an unhealthy relationship with food, eating, exercise, or body image. They are not simply a "phase," a diet gone wrong, or a lifestyle choice. Eating disorders can cause severe physical and psychological harm and require professional medical treatment. 

What causes eating disorders? 

Eating disorders are complex and rarely have a single cause. They typically arise from a combination of genetic, psychological, environmental, and social factors. Common risk factors include: 

• A family history of eating disorders or other mental health conditions. 
• Traumatic life events, bullying, or navigating significant life transitions. 
• Psychological traits such as perfectionism, high anxiety, or low self-esteem. 
• Social pressures, including exposure to unrealistic, airbrushed beauty standards on social media. 

How common are eating disorders in teens? 

Eating disorders are sadly very common in the UK. The UK eating disorder charity, Beat, estimates that around 3.5 million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder.  

In 2023, NHS data showed that eating disorders were identified in 12.5% of 17 to 19-year-olds, and 2.6% of 11 to 16-year-olds. 

Early intervention with eating disorders is vital. Parents and carers should look out for behavioural and physical changes, which often appear before any noticeable weight loss. Symptoms can include: 

• Physical signs such as sudden weight loss or gain 
• Becoming obsessive about food, calorie counting, or reading nutritional labels. 
• Cutting out entire food groups or becoming extremely "fussy" about meals. 
• Avoiding eating with family or friends and skipping meals. 
• Going to the toilet immediately after eating. 
• Exercising excessively, even when tired or unwell. 

How eating disorders and body image issues are linked 

While not all eating disorders stem from body image issues (such as ARFID), conditions like anorexia and bulimia are heavily intertwined with how a young person views their physical appearance. 

How body image issues can lead to eating disorders 

When teenagers are constantly bombarded with unrealistic expectations such as "slim and toned" ideals for girls or "tall and muscly" expectations for boys, they can easily develop a distorted view of themselves.  

This relentless pressure, often exacerbated by social media algorithms and digitally altered images, can drive a teenager to take extreme measures to change their body.  

These feelings of inadequacy can ultimately trigger the restrictive or purging behaviours characteristic of an eating disorder. 

How to help a teenager with body image issues or an eating disorder 

Supporting a teenager through these challenges requires patience, empathy, and a gentle, non-judgemental approach. 

Fostering open conversations about body neutrality at home 

Encourage your teenager to value their body for what it can do rather than how it looks. Praise them for their character, skills, and kindness rather than their appearance. It is also important to model this behaviour yourself; try to avoid making negative comments about your own body or other people's bodies, as children easily pick up on these cues. 

Supporting teenagers through peer pressure and social media 

Educate your teenager about digital literacy. Discuss how images on social media are frequently airbrushed, filtered, or even generated by artificial intelligence. Encourage them to unfollow accounts that make them feel inadequate and to actively curate a feed that promotes positive mental health, diverse body shapes, and varied interests. 

At The Children’s Society, we believe that no young person should have to navigate mental health challenges alone. We work directly with teenagers, schools, and policymakers to tackle the root causes of low self-esteem and provide immediate, practical support when things get tough. 

• Our Mental Health Support Services: We run dedicated emotional well-being and early intervention services across the country. Our RISE service operates directly in schools and colleges, offering low-intensity support for young people coping with mild to moderate mental health needs, including low self-esteem, anxiety, and emotional regulation. 
• Drop-In Wellbeing Spaces: We operate local drop-in hubs, such as Time for Young People, where teenagers can access a safe space to speak with trained wellbeing practitioners. There are no waiting lists or formal GP referrals required.  
• Campaigning for Change: Through our annual Good Childhood Report, we actively monitor how children feel about their appearance and mental health. We use this robust data to lobby the government for better mental health funding, push for early support hubs in all communities, and campaign for advertisers and influencers to declare digitally altered photos online. 
• Online Wellbeing Resources: We provide free digital resources and worksheets for young people and parents, covering topics from self-esteem and body image to managing anxiety and low mood.