Growing up today looks very different from when many of us were teenagers. Social media, online influencers, fitness content, weight-loss messaging, and even artificial intelligence are shaping how teens think about their bodies, food, exercise, and self-worth. As an eating disorder therapist, I see how important it is to understand the environment our teens are growing up in. Parents may be doing their best to create a supportive home, but their children are also exposed to messages from countless sources outside the home. And those messages aren't always as obvious as they used to be. Instead of a magazine telling someone they need to lose weight, a teen might watch a creator share everything they eat in a day, see a before-and-after photo, or hear that a particular product will help them become a better version of themselves. Over time, these messages can shape how teens view their bodies and their relationships with food.
Binge eating at night is more common than many people realize, yet unfortunately, it isn’t widely discussed. For some people, nighttime can be the most challenging part of the day, especially after spending hours trying to maintain control over their eating. Many people experience shame surrounding binge eating, which can lead them to keep their struggles private rather than discussing them with friends or family. This secrecy can make someone feel isolated, as though they are the only person experiencing these patterns, when in reality, many others face similar challenges. However, it’s important to distinguish that eating more at night doesn’t necessarily mean you're binge eating. Binge eating typically involves a feeling of loss of control around food, often accompanied by emotional distress.
When your teen is struggling with an eating disorder, it’s natural to wonder what you could have done differently. Maybe you have your own history with dieting or body image struggles and have worked hard to create a different environment for your children. Maybe you’ve tried to avoid negative body talk, encourage a positive relationship with food, and protect your teen from the messages you grew up hearing. And now, you’re watching your child struggle with something you desperately wanted to help them avoid. As an eating disorder therapist, I want parents to know that your teen’s struggles do not mean you have failed. You can do many things to support your child, but you cannot control every experience, influence, or challenge they encounter.
