The Conversation That Matters After Your Teen Mentions Losing Weight |
The New Year reset has begun – and unfortunately, with January being synonymous with hitting the gym and detoxing, the internet is once again awash with weight loss content.
It’s hard not to be impacted by it as an adult. So it must feel impossible to navigate as a teenager.
“Young people are in a very developmental phase of life, which makes the pressure to lose weight in January particularly harmful,” said Fiona Yassin, family psychotherapist, and founder and clinical director of The Wave Clinic.
“The bombardment of adverts featuring idealised beauty and body types – especially in January – can trigger difficult emotions and intensify dissatisfaction among young people who are being asked to meet an unachievable standard.”
Zoë Bisbing, founder of Body-Positive Therapy NYC, shared that a parent had told her their tween daughter’s New Year’s resolution was to lose weight.
But what can you say, as a parent or caregiver, when children come to you with this admission?
“The parent asked me if there is a way to support her daughter’s weight loss goals while also protecting against ED [eating disorder] risk,” said Bisbing on Instagram.
Her response? “Honestly, no. As an eating disorder therapist I can tell you that supporting ‘weight loss goals’ in a young person is nearly impossible to do without increasing risk for disordered eating, eating disorders and preoccupation with shape, weight and their control,” said the therapist.
“No one wants to hear this, but it’s the truth.”
How can parents respond when kids talk about losing weight?
Bisbing suggested it’s important for parents to be a “trusted source” for their kids – “one who can talk frankly about eating disorders, weight cycling and the importance of centring a peaceful relationship with food and movement”.
She continued:........