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Body image, eating disorders and teenagers

Negative body image, body dissatisfaction and eating disorders can have serious impacts on your teenager's mental and physical health. There are a number of ways to spot and address this ranging from observing your teenager's behaviour to seeing a psychologist. If you'd like to learn more about what body image and eating disorders are, read our fact sheet on body image and eating disorders.

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Body image issues and eating disorders

Understand body image and eating disorders and how you can best support your teenager.

Ask an expert: Does social media cause poor body image?

GP and mum-of-two Dr Preeya Alexander breaks down the relationship between social media and teen body image.

how to prevent negative body image

How to prevent negative body image

Watch this video to learn how to identify the risk factors and encourage positive body image.

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How to approach an eating disorder

Watch this video to identify signs and symptoms of an eating disorder.

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How to recognise early signs of an eating disorder

The early signs of an eating disorder in teens might not always be obvious. Learn about the warning signs of an eating disorder in this guide.

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Does my teenager need professional help?

Psychologist Anna Sidis explains the difference between normal teenager behaviour and mental health conditions.

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Find treatment and support for eating disorders

Find information and services for the treatment and support of eating disorders in teenagers.

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Seeing a GP for mental health concerns

Visiting your teenager’s GP is a good first step to find out whether they have a mental illness.

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What to expect when you see a psychologist

Psychologist Clare Rowe explains why seeing a psychologist is helpful in improving mental health.

Related topics

Self-confidence in teensLow self-esteem in teenagersTalking with your teen about mental healthAnxiety in teenagersDepression in teenagers
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We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

Aboriginal flagTorres Strait islander flagRainbow flagAustralian flag

We acknowledge the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present. We recognise connection to Country as integral to health and wellbeing.

We acknowledge people with lived experience of mental ill-health and recovery and the experience of people who have been carers, families, or supporters.

ReachOut values diversity. We are committed to providing a safe, culturally appropriate, and inclusive service for all people, regardless of their ethnicity, faith, disability, sexuality, or gender identity.

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