Dr Anna Colton on How to Talk to Children About Food скачать в хорошем качестве

Dr Anna Colton on How to Talk to Children About Food

In this episode, I speak with Dr Anna Colton, a clinical psychologist who specialises in adolescence and eating disorders. We explore the rise of eating disorders, the impact of the pandemic, and how social media and diet culture shape young people’s relationship with food and their bodies. The conversation offers practical, compassionate guidance for parents and caregivers on talking with children and teens about nutrition, body image, and healthy eating patterns. Anna is the author of How to Talk to Children About Food, and shares actionable strategies for conversations at home, signs to watch for, and when to seek professional help.   Key takeaways Eating disorders are increasing, with the pandemic cited as a major contributing factor. Social and cultural pressures around weight have intensified with the introduction of weight-loss medications and pervasive diet messaging on social media. A large portion of nutrition guidance consumed by young people comes from platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where most content is not accurate. Adolescence involves two key developmental tasks: separation from caregivers and individuation (forming a sense of self). COVID-era restrictions disrupted these processes, which, alongside heightened emotions and risk messaging, created an opportunity for disordered eating to flourish. Language matters when talking about food. Be specific and neutral rather than labeling foods as “healthy” or “unhealthy.” Avoid fear-based or punitive messaging (e.g., “that will make you fat”). Emphasize balance, variety, and the overall pattern of the diet rather than single meals. Create a healthy home food environment. Allow for a range of foods at home, avoid using food as a reward or punishment, and be cautious about restricting foods. This supports self-regulation and reduces the likelihood of binge-eating cycles driven by deprivation. Focus on body function and acceptance, not appearance. There are billions of unique bodies, and variation is normal. Encourage body acceptance and appreciation for what the body does (movement, health, energy) rather than how it looks. It’s realistic to acknowledge that not everyone feels positive about their body every day. Support for puberty and body changes. Hormonal fluctuations and evolving bodies during adolescence can be unsettling. Discuss differences in energy needs, portions, and activity levels openly, and acknowledge that it’s normal for bodies to change at different rates. Handling trends with curiosity. Teens may be drawn to gym culture and protein supplements. It’s useful to explore the evidence together, rather than dismissing interest. Encourage evidence-based choices and avoid pressuring or shaming. Early signs of potential eating disorders. Watch for significant changes in eating patterns (skipping meals, cutting out whole food groups), increased anxiety around meals, extreme weight changes, and irregular periods in girls. If you notice these signs, approach with curiosity and seek help promptly. Initial steps if you’re concerned. Start with careful observation over a short period, then have a non-judgmental conversation. If concerns persist, consult a GP for baseline checks (weight, height, bloods) and consider seeing a psychologist or ED specialist. Early intervention is preferable to waiting for illness to become severe. Treatment principles and parental roles. In anorexia, parents may need to support structured eating as part of recovery. In binge patterns, reducing restriction helps, since hunger drives cravings. Special situations like ARFID require expert assessment and tailored exposure-based strategies. The NHS and ED services are under-resourced, so timely engagement with healthcare providers is crucial. When to seek specialist help. If concerns persist, especially with weight changes, food avoidance, or distress around eating, connect with a healthcare professional early. A qualified psychologist or dietitian with ED experience can offer targeted guidance and support.   Resources    Anna Colton’s book How to Talk to Children About Food is a practical primer for parents.  You can follow her on   / drannacolton    search for The Food Psychologist on TikTok and her LinkedIn is   /     for evidence-based insights and ongoing discussions about eating, weight, and body image. If you enjoy the podcast please help us grow by sharing this episode, or writing a review. You can also find me at http://www.thetripleshift.org (http://www.thetripleshift.org/)    connect with me at   /      follow along on Instagram at   /     or subscribe to my Substack at https://middlingalong.substack.com/