Body Image and Eating Disorders

Readers will gain an understanding of the role of peers and media, and approaches to prevent these influences from having a negative effect on body image.

This chapter will provide an overview of the evidence linking diet to mental health, including in young people. It will provide evidencebased suggestions for the prevention and treatment of common mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.

Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that are associated with considerable psychological impairment and distress.

Not all eating disorders can be simply categorised into ‘anorexia nervosa’, ‘bulimia nervosa’ or ‘binge eating disorder’. A range of problematic eating and weight-loss behaviours can have devastating impacts on individuals and their loved ones.

Anorexia nervosa is associated with a range of serious physical and emotional consequences, hence early intervention is critical in order to reach full recovery.

This chapter will provide an overview of bulimia nervosa and other binge eating disorders in adolescents, signs to help recognise these disorders, and what to do for support.

This chapter provides an overview of muscle dysmorphia in adolescence. Readers will gain an understanding of what muscle dysmorphia is, how to recognise it, and what to do for support.