'I Can't Go Back To Eating Three Meals A Day': The Heartbreaking Secrets Kids Share With Childline

Young people are silently struggling with body image concerns.Over 3,400 children struggling with eating or body image concerns were supported by Childline last year. One 12-year-old who phoned the free counselling service said she had been called “fat” by another girl at school and began to shift her eating patterns as a result.“My friends are all skinny, the girls I see on TikTok are skinny. I started purging and skipping meals last year ... but mum finally noticed and gets angry when I don’t eat properly,” she said. “I can’t go back to eating three meals a day again, I can’t go back to being fat.”Earlier this year The European Commission announced it would assess a wave of “SkinnyTok” videos, some of which had been found to promote unhealthy weight loss on TikTok.In June, TikTok then said it had blocked search results for #SkinnyTok after the platform noted it had become “linked to unhealthy weight loss content”.Is social media exacerbating the issue?The causes of eating disorders are complex and not yet fully understood, according to the charity Beat, but include a mix of genetic, biological and cultural factors. The charity also acknowledges that for some people, social media content can be an exacerbating factor.Umairah Malik, Beat’s clinical and co-production manager, told HuffPost UK: “The NSPCC’s figures are heartbreaking, but unfortunately not shocking. Between August 2024 and July 2025, one in five contacts to our Helpline have been by, or on behalf of, children under the age of 18. “While it’s impossible to pinpoint a single cause, it’s likely to be a combination of factors. These include the impact of the pandemic, long delays in treatment, increasing pressures on children and young people, and harmful content on social media.”One study found social media “creates risks of social comparison and promotes the idea that it is vital to be thin or fit” and that trends, access to pro-eating disorder content and social media platforms that focus on appearance also compound the problem.Of course, social comparison happens offline, too. A 16-year-old girl told Childline: “It started a few months ago, seeing other girls’ bodies in PE made me feel so fat besides them. I tried to ask my mum about losing weight and she was a bit dismissive, so I knew I needed to tackle it myself.”The teenager admitted she restricted what she ate, and had been left fainting and feeling exhausted as a result. “I think I know this isn’t the right way to do it, but is it that bad if no one has even noticed I’m doing it yet?” she added. I tried to ask my mum about losing weight and she was a bit dismissive, so I knew I needed to tackle it myself. Body image issues don’t solely impact girls, either. A 15-year-old boy said: “I hate my body. I wish it was more muscly, more manly. I go to the gym loads but I still feel uncomfortable in there knowing how small I look to everyone.”Experts have previously warned of a rise in boys experiencing muscle dysmorphia, which “involves a distorted self-image that focuses specifically on muscle size and physical appearance”. Again, experts noted social media might play a key role.Another 15-year-old boy admitted to Childline he is overexercising and feeling out of control with it. “I didn’t want to be that ‘fat’ boy anymore, so I started working out and running,” he said.“I started doing it every day, then twice a day, then at lunch times and now I even sneak out at night to exercise. I know I have a problem, but I’m scared my family will make me stop all together if I tell them what’s going on.”Shaun Friel, Childline’s 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 image”.“To cope, some young people are taking drastic measures, such as restricting their food intake or purging once they have eaten,” he said.“Some children tell us that unrealistic beauty standards are affecting their wellbeing and self-worth, with many comparing themselves to others, such as classmates and influencers in the media.”What can parents take away from all this?NHS data suggests for children aged 11 to 16 years old, the rate of possible eating problems rose from 6.7% in 2017 to 13.0% in 2021. In young people aged 17 to 19 years, the prevalence of possible eating problems rose from 44.6% in 2017 to 58.2% in 2021.The BBC reported earlier this year that eating disorder hospital admissions in England have surged since the Covid-19 pandemic, with more than 31,000 admissions in 2023-24.Malik has warned that eating disorder services “are on their knees, with staff struggling to keep up with dramatically rising demand”.“The government needs to make sure these vital services are appropriately funded so every child can access the treatment they desperately need,” she said.“We’d urge any parent with concerns about their child to contact their GP immediately and ask for an urgent appointment. Recovery is always possible, and early intervention gives them the best chance at it.” Childline has shared the following additional advice for parents:1. Model positive body talkBe mindful of how you speak about your own body and others’ 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 appearanceWhen discussing food and exercise, emphasise 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 judgmentIf your child expresses worries about their body or eating habits, avoid dismissing their feelings or saying “you look fine”. Listen carefully and offer support, seeking professional help if needed.4. Discuss what they see in the mediaHelp your child understand that images online and in the 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 signsBe 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.Friel concluded: “Childline wants every young person to know that whatever they’re going through our trained counsellors are here to listen without judgment. No child should struggle alone with these feelings, and seeking help is always a sign of strength, not weakness.”Help and support:Childline: Young people can contact 0800 1111 or via 1-2-1 chat on www.childline.org.uk.Adults with concerns about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing [email protected] you’re worried about your own or someone else’s health, you can contact Beat, the UK’s eating disorder charity on 0808 801 0677 or beateatingdisorders.org.ukSamaritans: Open 24 hours a day, on 116 123Mind: Open Monday to Friday, 9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393 Related...I've Recovered From My Eating Disorder, But I Still Can't Escape SkinnyTokToxic Influencers Are Driving Eating Disorders In Young Men, Labour MP WarnsSafeguarding Expert Shares 6 Subtle Signs Of Teens Being Bullied

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