While many factors contribute to a person's body image, the home and family environment play an especially crucial role. Children largely develop their body image by observing their parents, unconsciously absorbing how they discuss their own and others' bodies, appearance, weight, and eating habits. Therefore, it's crucial for parents to be mindful of how they approach these topics, especially in front of their children.

While summer is often portrayed as a “fun” season full of excitement and activity, it can also worsen pre-existing body image issues in many high school and college students. The media’s pressure on girls and women specifically to slim down in order to achieve the “perfect summer body” is one reason for this.

While you are undoubtedly becoming the expert on how the eating disorder is impacting your family, you may not be aware of some additional complexities. Here is what to look out for . . .

With each new generation becoming more ‘online’ than the last, and the rise of new social media platforms, it’s not surprising that eating disorders continue to plague young people. 

Academic stress, social pressures, and college diet culture can all contribute to disordered eating.

After you’ve been away at college, eating disorder recovery can be hard to manage back at home.

If you also struggle with perfectionism, you likely have high expectations for your academic performance. Grades can make or break you. When you rely on test scores to determine your worth, it’s easy to spiral.

Even though it’s nothing more than a diet culture myth, having anxiety about the “Freshman 15” in college is real and valid.

Meet Jen Villasenor, AMFT, an eating disorder therapist for teens in California.

Navigating food in college when you have an eating disorder can be extra challenging. It’s important to have a game plan for eating in college.

There’s no doubt that Instagram is harmful to your body image. Here’s how you can build a healthy relationship with social media and protect your mental health.

Here are some tips for managing eating disorder recovery in college, whether you’re in the dorms alone, living with roommates, or at home with your parents.