teen body image & eating struggles
counselling support in Edmonton & Sherwood Park
Struggling with negative body image is one of the most pervasive mental health concerns for teens today. A negative or unhealthy body image can contribute to low self-esteem and cause persistent anxiety; in extreme cases, it can interfere with daily well-being. Some teens will feel the need to wear baggy clothes to hide their appearance, while others will avoid going out or socializing in public. Some signs of an unhealthy body image include:
Feelings about one’s body that interfere with school or relationships
Taking extreme measures to avoid seeing one’s body
Compulsively checking and rechecking one’s body — either weighing, measuring body parts, pinching one’s skin, or examining oneself in the mirror over and over again
Feeling the need to apply a heavy layer of makeup when going out in public
Using hats to cover one’s hair or baggy clothing to hide one’s body
Plucking, shaving, or waxing away hair excessively
Using harsh or unkind language to describe one’s body
Eating very little, or eating a lot in a short period of time
Experiencing powerful negative emotions when thinking about one’s body
Experiencing poor body image can be deeply painful for teens. Fortunately, there are a variety of well-researched strategies that can assist in improving these feelings, and allow teens to cultivate a healthier relationship with their body!
Dealing with a negative body image is difficult; your teen does not need to suffer alone.
With compassionate support, teens can begin to challenge unrealistic standards and develop a more balanced view of their bodies. This often involves helping them recognize how social media, peer comparison, and cultural expectations shape their self-perception. Encouraging teens to focus on what their bodies can do—such as strength, movement, creativity, or resilience—rather than how they look can gradually shift attention away from appearance-based self-worth. Learning to replace harsh self-talk with more neutral or kind language is another important step in building body acceptance.
Professional support can also play a vital role in this process. Therapists and counselors can help teens explore the underlying emotions connected to body image concerns, develop healthier coping strategies, and address related issues such as anxiety, depression, or disordered eating. Family involvement, when appropriate, can further reinforce positive messages and create a supportive environment at home. With patience, guidance, and the right tools, teens can move toward greater self-compassion and confidence, strengthening both their mental health and overall well-being.
WEIGHT STIGMA and EATING BEHAVIOURS
Body image plays a central role in shaping teens’ eating behaviors, particularly in environments where thinness or specific body types are idealized. Constant exposure to diet culture—through social media, peers, and even well-meaning adults—can lead adolescents to equate self-worth with body size or food choices. This pressure often results in restrictive eating, cycles of bingeing and guilt, or an unhealthy fixation on “clean” or “healthy” foods. Over time, these behaviors can escalate into disordered eating patterns that negatively affect both physical health and emotional well-being.
Weight stigma further intensifies these challenges by reinforcing shame and isolation around body size. Teens who experience teasing, discrimination, or judgment based on their weight—whether from peers, teachers, coaches, or healthcare providers—are more likely to develop anxiety, depression, and disordered eating behaviors. Rather than motivating healthy habits, weight stigma often discourages physical activity, increases emotional eating, and reduces willingness to seek medical or mental health support. Addressing body image concerns alongside eating behaviors requires shifting the focus from weight to overall well-being, promoting body respect, and creating supportive environments that challenge stigma and encourage healthy relationships with food.
THRIVE NOTE* Thrive does not help treat serious eating disorders. If your teen needs critical support, we recommend connecting with other clinics that serve youth with specialty in this area
Thrive Body Image THERaPIsts Edmonton & Sherwood Park
