Shaun Friel, director of Childline, has issued advice to parents on how to talk to their children about body image and eating disorders. He said that last year the service, operated by the NSPCC, delivered more than 3,300 counselling sessions to young people with such concerns.
More than 900 of the sessions mentioned calorie counting or food restriction, and almost a third of sessions took place between June and August as young people looked forward to summer weather and holidays. Where age was known, the majority of counselling sessions were delivered to children aged between 12 and 15, while six per cent of all sessions on this topic were delivered to under-11s.
Young people's experiences
Shaun said: "Our counsellors heard from young people with weight concerns, some who were dealing with binge eating, anorexia, some who wanted to access support services."
A 15-year-old told counsellors: “I hate everything about my body. I try to restrict for as long as I can, but then I binge and feel guilty that I ruined any progress that I made. I have so many other things I should be focusing on like my friends and my exams, but weight and calories are all I can think about.”
A 12-year-old girl told Childline: “This girl at school would always call me fat. My friends are all skinny, the girls I see on TikTok are skinny. I started purging and skipping meals last year and I’m finally skinny, but mum finally noticed and gets angry when I don’t eat properly. I can’t go back to eating 3 meals a day again, I can’t go back to being fat.”
Shaun said that some young people also told counsellors they had spent hours comparing themselves to others online, looking up weight loss videos on YouTube and Instagram.
Advice for parents
He added: "With the warm weather continuing and families here and across the country planning their summer holidays, we understand that young people might be finding themselves in positions where they feel anxious about their body."
"Unrealistic beauty standards promoted by influencers and celebrities on social media are leading some young people to take drastic measures and, in some cases, restricting their food intake or developing eating disorders. It’s important to try and be mindful of how you speak about your own body and other people’s bodies in front of your children – young people often copy what they hear, so try to avoid negative comments about weight, appearance or comparing yourself to others."
How to help a child dealing with body image worries
Shaun said: "When discussing food and exercise, emphasise feeling strong, energetic and healthy rather than looking a certain way. Celebrate what bodies can do rather than just how they look and if your child says they’re worried about their body or eating habits, avoid dismissing their feelings or saying 'you look fine'.
"Listen carefully and offer support, consider seeking professional help if needed. Remind them that images they see in the media and on socials are often edited or unrealistic and try to watch for warning signs - changes in your child's eating habits, mood, exercise patterns, or social withdrawal for example – and contact our NSPCC Helpline with any concerns you have."
"Encourage young people to talk to someone if they’re worried about their body image or eating habits, whether a teacher, school counsellor, family member or our Childline service. Remind them that seeking help is always a sign of strength, not weakness and to be kind to themselves."
"Suggest they try to speak to themselves the same way they would speak to a good friend – they wouldn’t tell a friend they look terrible, so they shouldn’t tell themselves that.
"Lastly, remind them that everyone's body is different and that is completely normal, so instead of comparing themselves to others, they should try to celebrate what makes them unique and to focus on being healthy and happy rather than looking like someone else."
"Childline is available around the clock to support young people with whatever they're going through and our trained counsellors will listen without judgment. Our colleagues on the NSPCC Helpline are also available to offer support and advice to parents and carers who are worried about a child."
Any young people who are worried about their body image or eating habits can speak to Childline any time on 0800 1111 or through the website, www.childline.org.uk. Any parents or carers who have concerns about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk.
