Helping Teens Navigate Body Image Issues
May 14, 2025 | By Dana Harron
Body Image Issues in Teens
Adolescence is a time of immense pressure for teenagers. It’s imperative to fit in but also very important to stand out. You have to excel at things but never look like you’re trying too hard. You want people to like you but act like you don’t care about the approval of others.
For many teens, this pressure plays out with the body as the stage. Making your body “acceptable” becomes a symbol for becoming “good enough” to fit in and earn love and belonging. As adults, we know that acceptance you have to work that hard for is a cheap currency but teenagers are still finding their way (even though it does not feel that way at the times).
Social media and teen-targeted marketing worsen these pressures and struggles. Throw in economic uncertainty, global warming, and the lasting impact of a pandemic, it’s no wonder that body image issues are on the rise among teenagers.
How to Talk to Your Teen about Body Image Issues
Simply dismissing or contradicting your teenager’s negative self-talk may leave them feeling misunderstood. Instead, try to leave room for both your perspectives. You can ask questions like:
What makes you feel that way about yourself?
When do you notice these feelings come up the most?
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It might be helpful to vulnerably share what body image issues you may have had in the past especially at their age. Highlight the parts of your story that were helpful for you to get through the negative voice inside your head. Your experience could show teens that there is a path forward from where they are finding themselves right now. Of course, make sure to acknowledge that your experience won’t necessarily be theirs and address the differences and similarities.
Maybe you didn’t have body image issues when you were a teen. Maybe you are currently (or still) struggling with your own body image issues, that’s okay too. You can acknowledge your struggles and show them what self-compassion is. You can also share what steps you are taking to achieve a more loving stance towards yourself and your body (use your best judgment if it will be helpful to your teen).
Body Image Issues and Social Media
Social media adds to the problem by hijacking the dopaminergic system in the brain which are the parts of the brain that reward certain behaviors with feel-good chemicals. This makes staying online incredibly rewarding and important for teens. Because teens are wired to seek acceptance and belonging at this age, they become an easy target for marketing in the “attention economy”.
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In the “attention economy” model, people like influencers and businesses are paid to get you to pay attention to their brand. There are many problems with this model but a serious problem for teens is how badly they feel about themselves and often increases their engagement. This model preys upon teen’s natural developmental needs for acceptance and belonging and positions them in a psychologically unsafe space.
Once a teen begins clicking on posts like “thinspiration” or “leggings legs” the algorithm begins to increase similar content in their feed. Before long, it can feel like the whole world is saying their body is not good enough all because the algorithm is amplifying their worst fears back at them.
Body Image Issues and Eating Disorders
Body image issues are terrible to deal with because they position a teenager as their own worst enemy. Feeling awkward and uncomfortable in your body can interfere with your social development, learning, and emotional growth. It can also go hand-in-hand with anxiety and depression.
For some teens, body image issues can lead to eating disorders. For teens who are very overwhelmed and dissatisfied with their bodies and have trouble feeling supportive or who are particularly self-critical may begin to try to do things to manipulate the way that their body looks and feels. This could result in:
Restricting (not eating enough food for your body)
Purging (trying to get rid of food that has been eaten)
Bingeing (eating more than your body wants or needs)
Some eating disorder warning signs to look out for are:
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Rapid changes in weight
Hiding or sneaking food
Disappearing immediately after meals and returning with red/watery eyes
Refusal or extreme discomfort eating certain food items
Avoiding family meals
Lying or being sneaky about when and where they have eaten
Subscribing to social media that supports or glorifies dieting and other unhealthy food behaviors
Getting Your Teen Help for Body Image Issues
Body image issues are treatable with the support of a knowledgeable clinician. Because of the overlap between body image struggles and eating disorders, it’s often best to work with a therapist who specializes in eating disorder treatment.
If you are located in Virginia, Maryland, or Washington DC and are seeking help for your teen, we encourage you to reach out to us to schedule a consultation.
Additional Resources
Essential Books for Teens with Eating Disorders, blog post by our Clinical Director, Carissa Hannum
Eating Disorders in Teens, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
Eating Disorder Treatment Programs for Teens, Children, Adolescents, Eating Recovery Center
Eating Disorder Prevention: 28 “Do’s & Don’ts” Tips for Parents, The Renfrew Center
How To Support A Loved One With an Eating Disorder, Alliance for Eating Disorders
How to Cope with an Eating Disorder, Crisis Text Line
Media and Eating Disorders, National Eating Disorders Association
Reach Out
If you’re considering professional support, we’re here to help. Please reach out to schedule a free, no-commitment consultation. There’s no fee and no obligation—just click the button below to get started.
You can also call or text us at 202-656-3681, or email us directly. Give yourself the opportunity for the support you deserve.