Eating disorder treatment doesn’t have to begin in crisis. What if we could step in sooner before someone starts skipping meals, hiding snacks, or fearing their reflection? What if prevention didn’t come from leaflets and lessons, but from conversations at home, schools that understand, and a society that stops shaming bodies?
People don’t develop eating disorders because they love being thin. They develop them because somewhere along the way, food became a weapon, a punishment, a hiding place, or the only thing they could control.
If we want to prevent eating disorders, we need to dig deeper. It starts with how we talk, what we model, and how we listen.
5 Steps to Prevent Eating Disorders
1. Change the Way We Talk About Bodies
Words shape beliefs, especially young ones.
- Avoid commenting on weight, yours or others’.
- Praise kindness, not abs.
- Teach kids that all bodies are worthy of respect.
A child who loves their body won’t try to shrink it.
2. Challenge Diet Culture
Slim doesn’t always mean healthy.
Teach people to enjoy food not fear it. That means unlearning toxic messages about “bad” carbs or “clean” eating.
- Ditch the idea that skipping meals = strength
- Say no to apps that count every bite
- Eat together. Talk. Normalise fullness.
3. Teach Emotional Resilience Early
Children aren’t born hating themselves. They learn it. Let’s teach them something better:
- It’s okay to cry.
- You can say no.
- You are more than what you look like.
4. Be Aware of Triggers
Eating disorders often start quietly:
- Obsession with calories
- Excessive exercise
- Avoiding meals
- Feeling guilt after eating
If you spot them early, you can step in early. Don’t ignore red flags. Half of all eating disorders begin before the age of 16.
5. Get Support Before It’s “Serious”
You don’t have to wait until it’s extreme to seek help. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcome.
At ABBI Clinic, we help people before things spiral with therapy, nutritional support, and tools to heal the mind and body.
Who’s Most at Risk?
- Teenagers and young adults
- People with anxiety, OCD or perfectionist traits
- Children exposed to dieting at home
- Athletes in weight-focused sports
- LGBTQ+ individuals facing identity-related stress
Let’s Make Prevention Part of Everyday Life
Here’s what that can look like:
- Model normal eating (yes, you can enjoy cake)
- Talk about media filters and body trends
- Make meals a time for connection, not control
- Speak up against fat-shaming even in “jokes”
- Give compliments that aren’t about looks
FAQs
1. Can eating disorders be prevented entirely?
Not always but we can reduce risk dramatically with awareness and early action.
2. At what age should we start talking about this?
As soon as children begin forming ideas about food and bodies which is often shockingly young.
3. What’s the single best prevention tool?
Open, non-judgemental conversation and a home where food isn’t feared.
Why Choose ABBI Clinic?
We’re not just a clinic, we’re a team that cares. Our eating disorder treatment includes support for ARFID, anorexia, binge eating, and more delivered with compassion, evidence, and experience.
At ABBI Clinic, we believe prevention is powerful. So let’s stop waiting until it’s too late. Let’s talk about how we prevent eating disorders before they take hold.