The NEN – North Edinburgh News

• Last year Childline delivered more than 3,300 counselling sessions to children and young people with worries around body image and eating disorders.
• Concerns peaked during the summer months, with almost a thousand counselling sessions being delivered last June, July and August
• Young people are citing influencers and trends such as calorie counting videos as affecting their body image.

Childline is anticipating a summer spike in children seeking support for body image issues and eating disorders. 

New data from the NSPCC service reveals it delivered 3,364 counselling sessions to young people from April 2025 to March 2026 about these problems.

Support from Childline about body image issues and eating disorders peaked over the summer months last year, with the service delivering almost 1,000 counselling sessions across June, July and August.

The summer months leading into the school holidays can be a particularly challenging time for children and young people struggling with their body image or their relationship with food. 

They speak to Childline about their fears of wearing certain clothes, including swimsuits, and how they  feel under pressure to look a certain way.

Children and young people also mention comparing themselves to influencers they see online. Some spoke to Childline about watching what I eat in a day and calorie counting videos, which often promote unhealthy habits such as extreme calorie restriction.

Last year, social media platform, TikTok, banned the hashtag #SkinnyTok in an effort to prevent young people being exposed to dangerous eating disorder content. In spite of this, Childline is still hearing from young people who are watching these types of videos on TikTok and other platforms.

29-year-old Lauren* from Scotland, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, said: “I had body image insecurities from the age of five. I would look at different parts of my body and think they weren’t good enough or try to measure the size of my stomach.

“At secondary school my eating disorder habits started, and I found restricting my food intake was a way of staying in control. I was trying to be as secretive about it as possible. I felt more accepted as I lost weight and if I got praise for being slimmer, it just confirmed to me that I was doing the right thing.

“Eventually I found a treatment that worked better for me, and I’ve gone from having certain beliefs and thoughts around food, weight and calories that I genuinely no longer believe.

“I know how to protect myself now and I am much better than I ever thought I would be. I’m not fully recovered yet, but I would say I am 90% of the way there.”

A 17-year-old from Scotland told Childline: “I’ve had an eating disorder for years and I’m just stuck in a cycle. I get treatment for a while, hit a healthy weight, get discharged, then spiral back into restricting.

“This time I tried to get help when I knew it was starting to happen again, but they wouldn’t see me because my BMI was still ok. I don’t want to live like this, but I don’t know how to do it without support.”

Shaun Friel, Childline Director, said: “With the warm weather continuing and families planning their summer holidays, young people might be finding themselves in positions where they feel anxious about their body.  

“To cope, some young people are taking drastic measures, such as restricting their food intake or, in some instances, developing disordered eating behaviours. Children are also telling us that unrealistic beauty standards are affecting their wellbeing and self-worth, with many comparing themselves to others, particularly influencers on social media.  

“Childline wants every young person to know that whatever they’re going through our trained counsellors are here to listen without judgment. Seeking help is always a sign of strength, not weakness.” 

Advice for parents on encouraging healthy body image in children:

1. Model positive body talk: Be mindful of how you speak about your own body and other people’s’ bodies in front of your children. Avoid negative comments about weight, appearance, or comparing yourself to others, as children often copy what they hear. 
2. Focus conversations on health and wellbeing, not appearance: When discussing food and exercise, emphasize feeling strong, energetic, and healthy rather than looking a certain way. Celebrate what bodies can do rather than just how they look. 
3. Take concerns seriously and listen without judgment: If your child expresses worries about their body or eating habits, avoid dismissing their feelings or saying “you look fine”. Listen carefully and offer support, consider seeking professional help if needed. 
4. Discuss what they see in the media: Help your child understand that images online and in media are often edited or unrealistic. Encourage critical thinking about what they see and limit exposure to content that promotes unrealistic beauty standards. 
5. Watch for warning signs: Be alert to changes in your child’s eating habits, mood, exercise patterns, or social withdrawal. Early intervention is important, so don’t hesitate to seek professional support if you notice concerning behaviours around food or body image. Adults can contact our NSPCC Helpline with any concerns about a child. 

All children can speak to a trained counsellor over the phone on 0800 1111, via email or on a 121 chat on the Childline website. 

Children can also visit the website to find more advice on any concerns or questions they may have on body image and eating disorders.