Like clockwork, the turn of the new calendar year always brings a slew of chatter about weight loss, diets and exercise.

Whether it’s in the form of a friend’s social media post proudly claiming “new year, new me,” or an influx of ads from gyms, it can seem impossible to escape the topic of dieting this time of year.

For teens who are developing their identities and may already be struggling with body image issues, being surrounded by this pervasive talk of food and weight can be damaging.

“Teens [are] still in the vulnerable stage of figuring out their sense of self, [so] they can be very susceptible to the marketing ploys selling the idea that a ‘new you’ means changing your body,” Edie Stark, owner of Stark Therapy Group and Edie Stark Consulting, told HuffPost.

“Teens [are] still in the vulnerable stage of figuring out their sense of self, [so] they can be very susceptible to the marketing ploys selling the idea that a ‘new you’ means changing your body,” one therapist explained.

This issue creeps up every January of course, but in the age of “What I ate in a day” reels, #SkinnyTok and ubiquitous GLP-1 use, it feels like this year’s “diet season” might be louder than ever.

“Long gone are the days of ‘tuning out’ the noise when we live in a society of 24/7 connectedness,” Elizabeth Wassenaar, regional medical director of Eating Recovery Center, told HuffPost. “Diet culture has seeped into our everyday lives.”

Fortunately, there are things parents and caregivers can do to help their teens. By approaching the topic with compassion, curiosity and awareness, there are ways to protect teens from the damage of “diet season” and help them feel less alone in the process.

Understanding where your teen may be hearing diet talk (hint: it’s everywhere)

It’s important to recognise that topics of weight loss and dieting can creep up almost anywhere, from your teen’s FYP to their favourite celebrities to even their health class in school. Part of the reason for this is that diet culture has transformed under the guise of “wellness,” making it a bit harder to spot.

“Diet culture no longer shows up in the same overt way it used to,” Rachel Goldberg, a licensed psychotherapist specialising in eating disorders and body image, told HuffPost. “It is now often framed as ‘healthy living’ or ‘taking care of yourself,’ [and it’s] much less of an outward discussion among teens and instead shows up more discreetly, mostly through social media.”

Whether it’s a daily routine video from a favourite influencer, a celebrity promoting a “detox” product or a gym class that emphasises BMI, teens are receiving information constantly about bodies, food and weight. “Because diet culture is often disguised as concern for health, discipline or self-improvement, it can be especially difficult for teens........

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