Healthy eating in adolescence: practical guidance to help prevent eating disorders

Eating habits during adolescence have a significant influence on physical and emotional health. At a time of bodily changes and developing identity, a young person’s relationship with food can be either a protective factor or a source of risk.

Experts emphasise that prevention goes beyond counting calories. It requires ongoing education about food, especially within the family, combining healthy habits with a supportive emotional environment.

Lola Ramos, a psychologist and school counsellor at Highlands School El Encinar, highlights several practical approaches:

• Make food varied and appealing: include fruit, vegetables and seasonal produce, presented in a visually appealing way.
• Involve teenagers in cooking: encourage them to help prepare meals to build independence and acceptance of healthy foods.
• Encourage moderation without bans: avoid labelling foods as “good” or “bad”, which can lead to frustration and loss of control.
• Explain where food comes from: discuss how it is produced and its impact, connecting food with responsibility and sustainability.
• Care for the emotional context: make mealtimes an opportunity for conversation and togetherness, avoiding tension or excessive control.

Research confirms that habits acquired at this stage often continue into adulthood. Ramos warns that adolescents can be particularly sensitive to extreme messages about food. Education based on balance and the example set by adults helps reduce risks and strengthen emotional wellbeing.

In an environment shaped by pressure about appearance and contradictory messages about nutrition, food education is an essential preventive tool for learning to look after oneself.

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